EMCOTS 9

=Emergence (Concertverse) - Chapter 9=
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==Strategic Considerations==
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Royal Palace
Roslyn, Eastern Islay
Arcadia, Arcadian Royal March
Royal Federation
28th August, 3142
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There was a certain tension in the Privy Council Chambers when Peter Proctor-Steiner arrived.  Unlike normal days, when it was just the Privy Council itself in what was essentially his political domain, the gathering was an assortment of figures.  Not only in terms of those seated, but those showing on the monitors, their images projected up to hundreds of light years away.  He recognized Konigin Gerda Bradford, the Duchess of Coventry and currently elected ruler of Ghastillia, on one screen; a middle-aged woman of fine features that hid a capable political schemer behind a genial expression that reminded him of a holovid show ideal of a middle-aged grandmother.  Another had the broad-shouldered and bearded visage of Archduke Ethan Kell, ruler of the Arc-Royal Federal March, Arc-Royal itself, and the current Commander-in-Chief of the Kell Hounds, wearing the half-cape uniform of that unit.  Peter's elder niece, Princess Melissa Proctor-Steiner, had a darker skin tone, as the Brewer heritage favored her more than it had the others of either generation of Ethan and Mathilda's progeny.  She was currently serving as the Governor-General of the Royal March of Skye, and as the second of Jacqueline's children, held title as Heiress-Presumptive of the Royal Federation.  Archduke Kenneth Marik likewise broadcasted from Atreus, as did Prince Roman Brewer-Steiner from Hesperus, Grand Princess Amira Umayr from Bolan, and the Governor-General of Tharkad and Donegal and the Archdukes of Arcturus, Alexandria, New Earth, Stewart, and Tamarind.
All of our border march rulers and the Princes, except those on the Ghastillian frontier.  It is a reasonable political move, nephew, but dear Lord this could go wrong.
There was one other image coming in, showing the general officers of the force that made the fateful misjump. Admirals Marik and Kruger with Generals Bridger and von Istenburg, all visible on one of the screens.  So they got Arcadia's HPG fixed too.  We were hoping for that.
Hyper-Pulse Generators.  For centuries, they'd turned communications in the Inner Sphere into something more than packets on JumpShips or the rather less-capable "fax machine" devices.  Made the domain of ComStar when the Star League and the Great Houses fell, now the technology was understood by every Successor State. ComStar, reduced to the oversight body for Terra proper, still spearheaded research into refinements, and in some realms still operated HPGs under operating agreements with local governments, but they were a shadow of the power they'd wielded during the Succession Wars under the aegis of the all-powerful Terran Union.  If not, this would be breaking the bank, Peter thought.  As it is, we're spending millions of pounds every second to have this many real-time connections ongoing across so many HPGs in the network. From what he'd heard, the Inner Sphere on the other side of the Atocongo Anomaly was no longer able to use HPGs, that something had happened there that made HPGs stop working.  Even those on their WarShips that performed the fateful misjump overloaded or otherwise shut down on the other end.  That Arcadia was broadcasting over HPG meant that repairs worked and that they'd finished the resetting of their computer systems to ensure no hostile code of any kind had entered their system during their stay on the far side.
Grand Admiral Stewart represented the AFRF Command Staff, and the Speaker of the Federal Assembly, Dikembe Soto of Uhuru, sat beside his opposite from the Federation Senate, Dame Tessa Stuart of Caledonia.  Peter recognized that alongside his grand-nephew Nathaniel were his Royal Secretary, Sophia Marik.
Peter took a seat between Nathaniel and the legislative leaders.  It was properly symbolic, given his political role as Lord of the Privy Council.  It was also, of course, the only available seat left.
Nor was he the last to arrive.  A bald-headed, dark-skinned man showed at the door, flanked by two power-armored Household Guards.  He wore a double-breasted jacket of pale blue with a white vest underneath with matching pants.  From his neck hung a Starburst of the Order of St. Michael, Knight's Grade.  Peter recognized him as easily as anyone else: Doctor-Professor Sir Kenneth Whateley of the Royal University, one of the Inner Sphere's leading experts on hyperspace, HPGs, and K-F Drives.
"Doctor."  Nathaniel rose.  "Thank you kindly for attending on such short notice."
"It is quite alright, Majesty."  He spoke with an Anglo-Arcadian accent, with a Plymouth Peninsula denizen's vigorous tones.  "Your Graces, Your Highnesses."  He bowed respectfully, fully aware of courtly protocol.
"If we might get to business?" Princess Melissa's voice was not frigid, but on the cool side.  Undoubtedly she had her own pressing business dealing with the recent restiveness in Skye, and attending a massive interstellar conference was taking her away from that.  "We are hearing a lot of rumors of this 'misjump', but as Admiral Marik and his command are clearly with us, hopefully we might have something to calm nerves."
"Admiral, if you will please?"
Peter had already read Lord Paul's report, so he imagined some frustration that the man now had to share that yet again, and verbally, but he did so with concision and brevity.  The strange misjump, the engagement at the other Timkovichi, his decision to deploy the training units to fight these "Clans"... and the existence of the other Kell Hounds, other Kells, and an intact Lyran Commonwealth on the other end.
Peter wasn't sure he liked the reaction to that from some of the others, specifically, the Lyran March leaders.  Ethan Kell was obviously read-in already and showed little emotion to the revelations being presented.  But the others… we still have those who dream of House Proctor becoming another branch of House Steiner, and a rebirth of the Commonwealth.  Ghastillia and Sudeten continuing to exist, and retaining their independence, puts a damper on it, but only some, given how many worlds of the old Lyran Commonwealth we control.
Prince Roman spoke up first.  "Did these 'Clans' have any JumpShips that might carry word back to their brethren?"
"Going by Colonel Kell's people and our own scans of the system, there were Clan JumpShips up at the zenith jump point that jumped out shortly after we destroyed the Red Talon," Lord Paul replied.  "So it is quite likely word is spreading."
"Then the question is if there is a threat of an incursion." That came from Konigin Greta.  Her concern was obvious, although Peter wondered if she'd have a greater agenda.  She'd been shrewd in negotiations whenever Peter had to deal with her, always pressing Ghastillian interests.  "How much do we know of their forces?"
"Colonel Kell's been providing us with intel from his side.  We know there are multiple 'Galaxies', as the Clans call them, brigades or over-sized regiments by our standards, operating in the area.   They are organizations of two to five 'Clusters', each one typically being something like a battalion of 'Mechs or armored vehicles with a company of battle armor infantry and a wing of aerospace fighters, with, I must stress, significant variance in practice.  But even the captured prisoners can't say much about their plans.  We just blew up the Falcons and Horses' plans by capturing the Falcon Khan and taking out a major Horse unit, not to mention one of their few WarShips."
"Uncertainty is the issue, then?  A naval guard should be posted over Atacongo."  The Ghastillian ruler clearly meant that for Admiral Kruger.  "We will dispatch a patrol squadron, then, and hope the Communists do not misconstrue our intentions."
"I've spoken with Ambassador Wotjak, they're already stating readiness to accept heightened activity without seeing it as provocative."  This came from Lady Jessup.  "Although they've made it rather clear they expect the 1st Battle Fleet to withdraw in a timely fashion."
"I'm sure they did."  Admiral Stewart spoke the words with some heat.  "We can't simply ignore the potential for an incursion, and I admit, I am inclined to say we should see about defenses on the farside of the… anomaly."
"Given how the war's going for them, I doubt the Lyrans will mind much, for now," said Bridger.  "If we agreed to post a 'Mech regiment to the defense of Timkovichi, with supporting aerospace assets, it'd do a lot to ease their own situation, especially since Timkovichi's militia nearly got wiped out by the Falcons.  They won't be in any shape to hold the planet for months."
"Well, that settles it, doesn't it?  I can speak with the Planning Staff and get units up that way—"
"You assume we have the forces."  Archduke Horace Fhyne of Arcturus interrupted the Grand Admiral with clear impatience.  "The Combine may raid our worlds at any time, looking for 'renegades' or whatever they want to call it.  I was promised reinforcements!"
Before Stewart could reply, Nathaniel spoke up.  "They are coming, Your Grace.  The 1st Free March Cavalry Brigade and the 4th Dar-es-Salaam Cavalry are already burning for their JumpShips, they'll be there before October."
Fhyne's broad face did not show any sign of pleasure.  "Two brigades?!  Only two?!"
"You already have the 1st Arcturan Guards, and the 4th Donegal Guards on station." Stewart reminded him.
"The first unit is still untried, and the 4th are ill-led!  I think we deserve greater consideration!  The entire Skye Ranger corps is on the border below us, why can't we get similar defense?"
"The Combine's only got four 'Mech regiments in the entire Vega Prefecture, and Ballymond is tied down with the revolt on New Wessex still smoldering, and with Rasalhague's forces at Buckminster the Dracs can't afford to throw anything at us," Princess Melissa replied on Stewart's behalf.  "We need the Skye Rangers in Skye and New Earth Marches to protect from the Azami, Tikonov, and the Cappies."
"You already have the Brewers' forces backing you!"
"No, she has my forces protecting Defiance Industries facilities," remarked Prince Roman, smiling thinly.  "And while they will continue to do so, they are not available for the AFRF to send to wherever they please."
"And we are to be left dangling, Your Majesty?  Ballymont sent for the 5th Sword of Light.  Why would he do this if he isn't planning retaliations for our shelter of Musashi Honda and the Galedon guerillas?  You remember what they did on Freedom!"
Notwithstanding memories of the Combine attack on their world three years past,, Lord Peter could think of several reasons why the 5th Sword of Light was sent, including the Combine wanting to rattle sabers, or deciding to make an example of New Wessex, as bloodcurdling as that sounded.  It might also be to replace units desperately needed in the Outworlds, where the Concert was at its weakest with the Lexington Combat Group almost monthly testing Combine defenses.
Before he could raise any of those points, Nathaniel spoke up.  "Your Grace, I understand your concern.  But surely you must understand that for me to send more regiments to your March would be provocative in of itself, it might even lead Ballymont to panic, assume we are going to intervene on New Wessex, and attack.  The two units we're sending will firm your defenses without causing such alarm.  But, if you wish reassurance, I will have Mercenary Operations send one of our mercenary forces to Arcturus.  Hamilton's Land-Air Brigade would provide for a strong defensive presence without appearing to herald offensive attacks.  That is the best I can do."
There was a brief silence from Fyhne.  It ended with a nod.  "I find that commitment acceptable, Majesty.  Thank you for your consideration."
It was a lie, and everyone in the room knew it was.  Peter knew, or at least hope, his nephew recognized it too.  If he did or not, Nathaniel accepted the statement with a nod.  "I wish to have Professor Whateley weigh in on the Atocongo Portal," he said.  "But we should arrange troops deployments first.  I am inclined to send a defensive force to Timkovichi on the other side.  I am aware that the AFRF can only spare so many units, but this is important.  The dispatch of the light cruiser Epaminondas and its flotilla should provide for a suitable naval defense, and to aid the people of Timkovichi, I would ask for Duke Ethan's agreement to keep one regiment of Kell Hounds on the far side."
"I concur." Ethan said.
"As further guarantee, the 2nd Royal Cuirassiers are among our few reserves remaining, yes Admiral?"
"Aye." Stewart clearly didn't look pleased, but he didn't contradict the High King.  His eyes met Peter's, as if to seek Peter's help, but there was none.  Good, nephew.  A heavy unit, with a Regimental Combat Team of support.  That should be an equal to at least one of these Clan 'Galaxy' units.
"We will also shift the 1st Royal Lancers to Arc-Royal, to join the 2nd Kell Hounds as reserves, and adjust forces in-theater as needed.  Are there any questions?"
"What about the Household Guards Corps, or the Arcadian Guards, Majesty?" asked Ethan Kell.  "A number of them were shifted toward Atreus, but we should consider the need to pull them back.  In case we have reason to strongly reinforce the portal."
"That will also be discussed with the Command Staff, and I'll have a decision soon," Nathaniel promised.  "Now, if there's nothing else, I'd like to let the Doctor-Professor speak on the portal."  When no one raised an objection, he nodded to Whateley.  "The floor is yours."
"Thank you, Majesty." Whateley cleared his throat.  "My Lords and Ladies, at His Majesty's request I have gone over the available data we have so far.  It is, yes, strikingly unique, unknown in our whole history, and has already provided scientific insight into the nature of hyperspace and how it interacts with reality itself.  It has also proven, rather directly, the truth behind certain theories on space-time and what we call the 'many worlds' theory.  Indeed, it would seem hyperspace may link such worlds together, a common medium of sorts."
Peter forced down the sigh he felt forming.  My boy, you are ever the scientist, but you are losing your audience by having this presentation, he thought to himself.  While Nathaniel was clearly interested, and indeed some of the others present showed some interest as well, well over half the faces in the room were shades of barely-hidden disinterest and frustration.  They hadn't come here to burn precious moments of their time, and millions of pounds or marks, for the privilege of hearing a lecture fit for a science symposium.
Undoubtedly Professor Whateley was used to such disinterest, as he moved on without missing a beat.  "I will cease the scientific side here, of course, as I understand that is not the issue at hand.  The important thing is, I believe this can occur again, and I believe I know how to prevent it."
Peter allowed himself a smile.  Well, good show.  That's what they want to hear.
"Can you have learned enough to make such a promise?" asked Princess Melissa.
"I believe so, Highness.  It involved some research into transit logs, aided by my research teams diverted to the task, and access granted by His Majesty."
Grand Admiral Stewart, and a couple others, cast annoyed glances at Nathaniel, but said nothing.  "And what did you determine?" Peter asked.
"Given the testimonies offered by Admiral Marik and the others affected." he began, casting a brief glance and nod at the image depicting the four commanders still at Atocongo, "I believe it was the rare occasion of such a large number of ships of such varying masses jumping simultaneously."
"You mean to say, our fleet-wide jump into our Timkovichi caused this?" Admiral Kruger asked.
"Yes, Admiral.  The records I was shown indicate that such jumps are not common.  They tend to be in sequence, yes?"
"This is so." Kruger agreed, with Marik and Stewart nodding.
"Exactly. Going by the records given to me by His Majesty, there has been no such regular mass jumps since the War, and the last jump of that magnitude was in 3130 during what I take was a set of wargames or some such.  I find that date interesting because of the other material provided, specifically your reports on this… other Inner Sphere, on the opposite end of the Looking Glass, so to speak."
Peter noted understanding dawn on Admiral Marik's face.  "It was before the HPG Blackout that afflicts the other side, you mean?"
"Yes." Whateley nodded.  "That was my thought exactly.  The nature of that blackout is a strange one, I grant, and we may never grasp the mechanics of it, indeed there is much we still don't know and may never know about hyperspace given we cannot effectively measure anything in it.  But it stands to reason that the Blackout, as they call it, could have influenced this event."
"There have been other fleet movements of great size since 3132, however," Stewart said.  "The Combine's Alpheratz Campaign in 3137 involved a large fleet and army unit, bigger than the one that jumped into Timkovichi, and the reports we received indicate they did one mass jump.  Why didn't they misjump like this?"
"I need more data.  It could be the fleet composition did not have the right balance of large ships versus smaller ones.  Maybe their formation was further spread out?  We are dealing with an entirely new phenomena, Admiral, and we just don't have the data to provide firm answers.  What we do know is that a force of that specific size and that makeup broke some sort of hyperspatial barrier when it jumped, creating a gap in the form of a persistent K-F field that bridges two different iterations of our universe.  With otherwise similar physical laws, at least."  Whateley folded his hands together.  "All I can recommend to this assembly is that all such formations jump in stages, at least a minute apart, to give time for the wavefront of the field to fully dissipate."
"Any objections, Admiral?' Nathaniel asked Stewart.
"None, Your Majesty," replied Stewart.  "It is not a matter of much consequence.  There are some tactical situations in naval combat where such a restriction could cause difficulty, but not likely."
"Indeed, I only organized the mass jump to keep us in practice," Admiral Marik added.  "It would appear to the gain of the people on the other side of the 'Looking Glass', as our dear Professor so intriguingly put it."
It sounds better than 'Anomaly' at least, Peter thought.
"Doctor-Professor, thank you for your counsel and your efforts," Nathaniel said.  "I intend to assemble a Royal Science Commission to investigate this matter more thoroughly, and I will definitely seek further counsel from you."
"I'd be honored, Majesty."  Whateley didn't need to be told he was being dismissed, but he waited until Nathaniel made it formal before standing.  Peter thought he could see some slight relief on the man's face before he departed the room.
"I have another matter before we adjourn," Bridger said.  "Given the age of the intel Colonel Kell has, we have no idea where these 'Clans' are in our proximity.  With your permission, I'd like to take the 8th Strikers and the 1st Kell Hounds on a fishing expedition."
"Two BattleMech regiments with supporting brigades is a rather large expedition, General," Peter said.  "What do you wish to accomplish?"
"Find Clan forces and capture intelligence as to their dispositions and intent."
"This is rather more than protecting the portals," Konigin Greta protested.  "And it is an active intervention in this conflict on the other side."
"With respect, Your Highness, we already have intervened.  We're at war with these Clans just as much as the Lyrans there are.  And given what they were doing on Timkovichi, what they were about to do, I can't in good conscience ignore the matter.  And from a military perspective, we need to know more if we're going to protect the Looking Glass."
Peter stifled a chuckle.  The Doctor-Professor's term seems to be catching on.
"I need the 4th Grenadiers to guard Atocongo, so I cannot support this." said Greta.  "But I will not stop you either, King Nathaniel, should you wish to support this expedition."
Peter noted the heated look on Stewart's face.  Archduchess Yvette Mercier, ruler of the New Earth March, likewise seemed displeased, and both glanced to him as if he might stop this.
"I do," Nathaniel said firmly.  "there are disturbing elements to these Clans I wish to see investigated.  General Bridger, make what arrangements you must.  The Arcadia must remain on this side, but the Sara Proctor and a couple of the destroyers should be sufficient for your protection from any Clan WarShips, I think?"
"I'll detach them to General Bridger's command immediately, Majesty." Lord Paul pledged.
"Thank you, Majesty.  I'll get preparations done immediately."
"If there is nothing else, I believe that is all for today." Nathaniel remarked.  "I know you all have much business to attend to, and that we are burning the Government's communications budget for the year at a prodigious rate.  I declare this meeting adjourned.  God save the Federation."
"God save the Federation."  With that ceremonial exhortation, the meeting ended.
Peter barely got back to his office before the knock came.  Stewart entered, with Lord Arnold in tow, also in uniform.  "I just heard," Arnold said, looking severe and flustered.  "So our timetable for EAGLE CRY diverts yet further."
"Let's be honest, cousin.  EAGLE CRY died with my sister," he remarked, reaching for the Glengarry Reserve off his cabinet.  He poured a glass and offered, which they declined.
"So who is going to explain this to Ambassador Claudius?"
At the reference to Claudius O'Reilly, the Flavian Principate's ambassador to the Federation, Peter shrugged.  "I will, if it must be done.  The Imperatrix will be displeased, but there will be no moving Nathaniel.  I know his mind as well as any of you.  He would only accept war for an immediate, clear moral good."
"Breaking the Capellans before they finish their new fleet program is in the vital interests of the Royal Federation," Arnold insisted.  "You know this!"
"Of course I do!  But Nathaniel feels he is making progress with Emperor Robert diplomatically."
Stewart sighed and Arnold rolled his eyes.  "That young pacifist fool will be a disaster.  I wish James hadn't died on Sirius."
Peter's hand clenched his glass tumbler so hard he thought he might break it.  His mind flashed back over twenty years, to the heat-filled cockpit of his Paladin, the sharp fight, the sight of the lance of Vindicator hunter-killers that ambushed them, pummelling Prince James' Atlas… the LRMs that breached his cockpit.  The sight of his nephew, broken and bleeding in his shattered command couch.  "Tell Sita and Nate… tell Mother… I love…" and then nothing but the cold, empty sky blue eyes of a young man formerly so full of promise, a young man who inspired his soldiers and would have made a great and good monarch.  The pain, even these decades later, was such that Peter thought it would choke him. I failed them.  I failed James.  I failed Jackie.  I failed Nathan, and my parents, and my siblings, I could have saved him, if only I'd been faster!...
He blinked and forced himself back to the present.  "We all do."  There was a dangerous tone in his voice as he turned his head.  "EAGLE CRY might have worked, and we might have made good on everything, but it is not happening, Arnold.  Let it go.  Do your duty."
"I'm trying, but we have threats here, and now, to deal with.  This other Inner Sphere can tend to its own business."
"We're connected now, there is no escaping that.  Thinking we can ignore their situation is folly."  Peter went to his desk, enjoying the rich flavor of the whisky as it burned its way into his belly.  It'd been so long since he'd remembered that terrible day on Sirius.  Nathaniel is so like his father in that regard, forceful, ready to push where he feels the push must be made.  I just need time to temper him.  To make him recognize when he needs to pull back, whatever his wishes.  "As for His Excellency, I'll address Lord Claudius personally to make it clear.  EAGLE CRY is not viable.  There will be no joint war against the Empire."
"This could cost us with the Principate.  The Legions grow restless again."
"Then let them find outlet for their energies, as they please," Peter snapped.  "Imperatrix Julia does not make the policy of the Royal Federation, no more than her damned fool of an uncle did!"
"There is opportunity," Stewart said softly, finally joining the conversation.  "as news of this… 'Looking Glass' becomes more widespread, and our involvement on the other end, it might bring the Capellan Empire to a softer state of readiness.  Even if EAGLE CRY is not implemented, we might benefit from a mutual drawdown on the border worlds.  More troops for the Azami and Combine borders, or for any problems we face in this other Inner Sphere, is welcome, and moreso, the other Inner Sphere could be a chance to blood our troops in real campaigns before any major fighting here."
Arnold shook his head.  "They train well enough."
"It's not war, and you know it's not."
"And letting our men and women die for the benefit of some mirror copy of our reality is the solution?"
Peter chuckled.  "And here I would think a devoted Lyrantreu like you would be happy with helping an intact Lyran Commonwealth, Arnold."
"Don't forget we're Steiners too, Peter," Arnold said, recognizing the jibe for what it was.  "the Steiners were ruling hundreds of worlds when the Proctors were mere farmers."
"The Steiners also lost most of those worlds while the Proctors were 'mere farmers'.  And don't forget the blood of that commoner-born Sara Proctor flows in your veins too, cousin, and as founding legends go, I would pick her over Katherine Steiner any day."
Arnold grunted but said nothing more on the subject.  He let Peter take a drink in peace before saying, "Well, so here we are.  The Concert will chug along for another year, and there's nothing we can do about it."
"Don't sound so disappointed, Arnold," Peter muttered.  "Now, if you'll please, gentlemen, I have affairs of state and government to clear before the day ends.  There is more to this Federation than your dreams of broken Capellan WarShips, after all."
With that stern reminder, the two left.  God help us all with those two, Peter thought.  And help me to not lose my temper like that with him again…  He took another drink before getting to work.
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EMCOTS 9