BtH26

==Chapter 26 - By the Horns==
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General Headquarters, McCarron’s Armored Cavalry
Douala, Menke
Capellan Confederation
November 2nd, 3025
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“Audacious, Duchess Liao,” Archibald McCarron said as he closed the manila folder atop of his desk and turned his gaze to the youngest child of Maximillian Liao. “I do not, however, see your father’s seal upon those orders—could there be a reason for that?”
“Father does not wish to be seen as overly aggressive, Colonel McCarron,” Romano answered in a bitter tone—she did not care for being questioned, Archibald thought. Not one whit. “That no longer matters; we have been given an opportunity here—the Concordat lies under Interdiction and we have the current Taurian Defense Force deployments.”
“And today, my Armored Cavalry is present on Menke in full strength—which gives you an opportunity to show that you are Candace’s equal, at least, in the realm of military operations . . . am I right, Your Grace?” Archibald drawled with a narrow smile on his face.
“Laconis and MacLeod’s Land lies defenseless before us, Colonel McCarron!” she snapped. “Only their Constabulary and a handful of Noble’s Regiments stand against restoring these worlds to their legitimate Liao rule.”
“Legitimate?” the mercenary laughed. “Your Grace, those worlds NEVER belonged to the Confederation.”
“History is written by the victors, Colonel,” Romano answered coldly. “They will become Liao worlds in truth—the Home Guard, the Maskirovka, and our police forces stand ready to aid you; they will garrison the worlds once you conquer them. And then we can turn our attention to the two largest prizes outside of the Hyades—Pinard and New Vandenberg.”
Archie inhaled deeply. “Those worlds are not undefended, Your Grace. Or even lightly defended. And I will guaren-fucking-tee-you that the Taurians will fight tooth and nail for both of them.”
“Which is why the 5th Reserve Cavalry will be supporting your operations on Pinard as will Warrior House Fujita on New Vandenberg.”
“And the rumors that the Bulls have managed to salvage an honest-to-god WarShip, Your Grace? What happens if that thing manages to crawl into orbit above a pair of my Regiments?”
Romano smiled. “This operation will give our operatives a better chance to either . . . secure that vessel for ourselves or see it destroyed. Of course,” she said with a sniff, “I can always let it be known that Archibald McCarron has become too cautious and unwilling to assume risks of war. Jaime Wolf might well favor a new contract with the Liao, after all.”
“Don’t push me,” Archie growled, and he nodded as Romano drew back in sudden fright at his expression. “You might well be the child of Maximillian Liao, but you are a LONG way from home, girl—and on this world, I make the rules. So stop trying to play me,” he barked, and then he looked at the map and the closed folder and he sighed. “Triple pay—no less, and we get 100% salvage. Plus command rights over the entire operation.”
“THAT IS OBSCENE!” Romano howled.
“Then get your FATHER to affix his SEAL OF STATE to that order, girl! Triple pay, ALL OF THE FUCKING SALVAGE, and TOTAL COMMAND RIGHTS, or you can get your ass on that DropShip and run back home to DADDY!”
Romano’s eyes flashed, but then she nodded. “Fine,” she spat. “I will remember this, McCarron.”
“See that you do, girl—and bear in mind, so will I.”
The youngest child of Maximillian Liao turned on her heel and she strode—almost ran—from the office. Archie stood there for a moment and then he nodded. He lifted the phone. “Brett?” he asked as a voice on the far end answered. “Leadership meeting—all five regiments—thirty minutes, in the main briefing hall. And upload all of our maps on Laconis, MacLeod’s Land, Pinard, and New Vandenberg.” He winced as the voice on the far end came through much louder. “Yeah, the Taurian Concordat—load them!” Archie ordered and then he slammed down the phone.
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