EMCOTS-2 15

=Emergence (Concertverse) Book 2 - Chapter 15=
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==The Folks Back Home==
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===Viewing a love one's peril===
Royal Palace
Roslyn, Eastern Islay
Arcadia, Arcadia Royal March
Royal Federation
Cisglass Inner Sphere
18th July, 3143
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The holoviewer of the Royal Office displayed the scene in full holographic color. From his chair, Prince Peter Proctor-Steiner recognized Liberator, once his father's 'Mech and now his grand-nephew's, as it rushed through the thick of the fighting towards the looming form of a Wolf Clan assault 'Mech. Carrying PPCs. Royal-grade, given the punch they've shown, he thought, as if he were on the battlefield himself appraising a foe. The Clanner, missing their 'Mech's left arm, fired three PPCs bolts that ravaged the pride BattleMech of House Proctor, blasting away the Paladin machine's left arm. The gait of the 'Mech shifted, wobbled, but did not fall, nor did it waver as the right arm of the Clan machine leveled on Liberator's cockpit. Nathaniel finished crossing the distance and with a single sweep of Liberator's right arm, he plunged a BattleMech-scale sword straight into the Wolf machine's cockpit. Peter knew well what the sudden crimson splash from within meant.
(("This footage comes courtesy of an embedded team from our sister organization across the Glass,")) a Gaelic-accented anchorwoman of the Donegal Broadcasting Corporation said. (("It is confirmation of earlier press reports of the death of Seth Ward, Khan of the Wolf Empire, during fighting in the Triad late last month. Analysts so far confirm this footage is that of High King Nathaniel, who was reported to have survived the brutal battle for the Triad with only minor injuries. According to correspondents the images shown here are sparking a wave of celebrations and renewed hopes among the beleaguered Lyran Commonwealth in the Transglass. For the first time in a century, a Wolf Khan has fallen to a non-Clan foe. We are still awaiting official response to the release of this footage-")) A crossed out volume indicator appeared over the image, reflecting someone had hit the mute button.
That someone was seated across the way from Peter. Lady Sara-Marie Proctor, his nonagenarian second cousin and serving Regent of the Royal Federation, was dressed plainly as was her wont. Only the House Proctor coat of arms over her heart and the Regent's Seal hanging from her neck stood out. It was a contrast to the elegant white and purple robed suit favored by Lady Sophia Marik, Royal Secretary and now the Queen-Consort-to-be, with the purple Marik eagle embroidered on the left breast. Her pretty young face was drawn and pale. "He almost died." she said through tight lips. "God forbid it, but you saw that. Nathaniel almost died."
"He didn't." Peter said the words gently. He didn't intend to snap at the young woman. Sophia was one of a rare members of House Marik to not be current or former serving personnel of the AFRF, given her family's rule over the most fought over section of the Federation. Counting the three of us, only I have served. "And this is merely a visual confirmation for the citizenry, which is why the AFRF approved its public release. The public will see their ruler fulfilling his pledge and fighting the enemies of humanity from the cockpit of Liberator. It should do wonders for public morale."
"But hardly any for Queen Mother Sita," Sara-Marie observed wryly.
Peter pursed his lips and nodded silently. "No, I can't imagine she will be pleased to see this footage. God I hope her staff hides it from her, as impossible as it will be." Peter thought back to his childhood. The press could never get enough footage of his father in battle, even though Ethan was not so reckless as to continually go to the thick of fighting. Just those occasions when the Lifeguards and his command echelons were forced to fight by enemy troops served to electrify the populace. This will be on holovid projectors and telescreens across the Federation by tomorrow. Hell, it'll be out to Kilbourne before dinner.
"It's unlikely to do Senator Zento's temper any good either," Sophia said, referencing the Isle of Skye politician who remained one of the most vociferous critics of the intervention against the Clans. "I doubt he'll be able to get the votes to block the new set of AFRF appropriations."
"Even my cousin wants them," Peter observed. "Lord Arnold has always been keen on restoring more of our formations, and now that Parliament's taking the choker off he's not going to let his opposition to Nathaniel interfere. I just have to make sure he keeps some of them freed up to be Nathaniel's second wave if he needs it."
"Grand-uncle Kenneth is happily contributing," Sophia said. "Given the success of the subscription drives, he's told me he'll get two more Marik Regulars regiments active by year's end."
He'd be a fool not to, thought Peter. And I highly doubt he'll release us from Nathaniel's promise to not pull another regiment from the Principality of Atreus. Not easily, anyway. We'll need to figure out something, though, or we risk end up undoing all of the hard work Nathaniel and Lady Jessup performed in talking Robert Halas-Liao into drawdowns. Instead of giving voice to these thoughts, he said, "That will make providing reinforcements easier, should Nathaniel need them."
The skeptical look he saw on Sophia's face told him she'd already drawn the same conclusions he had. But it will still be useful. Even if we can't pull forces from the Atrean Principality, we could shift our reserves given their improved defenses. No, the real issue will be keeping the Command Staff in line, and Grand Admiral Stewart aside, Arnold continues to worry me, he is certain to try something…
"Perhaps it is best to move on to other business," Sara-Marie said. "Parliament may have adjourned for the year but the business of government does not end. Prince Peter, what has the Privy Council to say about the upcoming budget?"
"A great deal, cousin, a tremendously great deal…"
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===The Royal Opposition Plots===
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Several dozen meters below the Royal Office, in the subbasement levels of the Royal Palace, the same holo-image of Nathaniel's victory remained static on a televiewer. From his desk seat, Lord Arnold Proctor-Steiner, a field marshal in the service of the Royal Federation and the head of the Planning Staff for the AFRF, held his hands together in contemplation of the image. Mixed emotions came to him. A small, treacherous part of his soul felt disappointment that the Clan Khan had not rid him of that pacifist fool of a king that he and his people had been saddled with.
But despite his dislike, another greater part felt instinctive exultation at his distant kin's victory. The boy can fight, he thought. He has courage in battle and is clearly worthy of his family. He's upheld the honor of the Proctors and Steiners. Maybe the Clans will burn that foolish pacifist idealism out of him and he will come back understanding his duty.
Seated with him were two women, one in another AFRF uniform and the other in business attire suitable for her position. Neither were MechWarriors and so did not show the appreciation for Nathaniel's piloting that had come so instinctively for Arnold. Deputy Director Elisabetta Rinaldi of the Security Information Service, a daughter of the world Summer in the Isle of Skye, kept her usual reserve. Air Marshal-General Lady Juliana Steiner was rather less reserved and, Arnold thought, a bit too easy in the frown that she allowed to form. "If only that PPC had fired one more time," she muttered.
"Do not be foolish," Rinaldi said. "The death of our ruler would have made him a martyr and compelled his successors to continue the war from the popular furor."
"He will do further damage yet, beyond this pointless war," Juliana said, the scowl not leaving her face. "The window to crush the Empire before its naval expansion renders it unassailable is almost shut."
"It's gone. You know that," Rinaldi said.
"Not if we widen the circle," Arnold said. Seeing he had their attention, he thought back five months to the coronation of Nathaniel. "Princess Melissa reported some interesting stirring from the Federated Suns. They may be interested in contributing to EAGLE CRY if we can get it back on track."
Rinaldi raised an eyebrow. "First Minister Bao has been adamant about following Dieron."
"He might not last forever. And remember the Liaoists' agents attempted to unseat him in the last elections. The Empire's active efforts to foment Capellan nationalism among the St. Ives March may persuade him to accept our help in ending the problem."
Juliana nodded. "It would be useful. But could we guarantee it? You can never trust commoner politicians, there's no telling what calculation they would make to win votes."
To that Arnold shrugged. "At this point there is little we can guarantee. We lost that security when Jacqueline died. But I feel the opportunity is worth pursuing."
"Fair enough." Juliana folded her hands in her lap. "How goes the other preparations? With new formations being considered, it would be wise to ensure the right ones are favored."
"The Seventh Donegal Guards are due for restoration, as are the Ninth Donegal Cavalry," Arnold confirmed, smiling thinly. "And I think we may get a measure of sympathy from General Adamczyk if we bring the Third Royal Lancers back online as well."
"No." Juliana shook her head. "I think we would be better off adding another Arcturan Guards formation. Adamczyk isn't loyal to the cause and never will be, he's too Bolanese in his thinking. Perhaps even providing for the Lyran Regulars to be-"
"No," Arnold said. "It's too soon, that would tip our hands too quickly."
"It's overdue," Juliana insisted, frowning. "I's not like the damn Mariks can protest, they're getting two restored Marik Regular RCTs!"
"Raised significantly by subscription among the Atrean Principality populace," Rinadi pointed out.
"Yes. We would need to do the same to bring about the restoration of any Lyran formation."
"That will never happen in the current environment and you know it." The venom in Juliana's voice prompted a frown from Arnold. "Too many of our people are afraid of asserting their identity."
"It will change with time," Arnold said. "Just as much, the Federation's institutions must be reinforced for battle with the Empire before we begin any transition to rebuilding thee Commonwealth. This is a long term endeavor. It may not come in our lifetimes. I share your bitterness for that, I truly do, but for the time being we must put off our greater hope for more immediate concerns."
"Have you considered a replacement for Admiral Lougannis for Arcadia Theater Command?" asked Rinaldi. "The Command Staff will need to have a solid choice to avoid Prince Peter and Lady Sara-Marie's suspicion."
"General Proctor-Grimke, Alexander I mean," Arnold said. "He would've been commanding the Household Guards if not for Jacqueline's death, he's due a promotion and higher posting, and there's a number of loyal candidates we can elevate to replace him in commanding the Royal Assault Brigade." Peter will suspect him, but has no justification. That branch of the family is reliably a-political, whatever their views of Parliament. Alexander will sound the dutiful soldier and oh so dutifully further our own preparations for war.
"He's very Proctor, but also very anti-Imperial and a good ally against the Concert bloc in politics," Juliana noted. "I'll make sure the Aerospace Department backs the promotion over our own candidate. And his son Gerald would make for a useful commander of the Arcadian Guards when General Onassis is retired."
"Assuming she does. But there's a better candidate, I'll be talking wiith him shortly." Arnold leaned back in his chair. "And I believe that covers everything for now. It's best you both slip away now, before my yeoman returns from their lunch. The longer we're together, the more likely Peter finds out."
"I am not concerned," Rinaldi said. "He can't speak about us without revealing his own participation in our deliberations, he would have to admit to Lady Sara-Marie and to King Nathaniel his role. It would be taken as betrayal."
"Maybe not, but there are other means he could use to stymie our goals, and the more obvious we are, the more likely he will risk bringing things into the open to save Nathaniel's fantasies."
"We'll deal with Peter soon enough," Juliana promised. She stood and departed first, after which Rinaldi followed.
Arnold returned to his work. A short time later his intercom let off a tone. "Sir, your thirteen-forty-five has arrived."
Right on time. "Send him in, Sergeant." Arnold set his digital tablet down and had his eyes on the new arrival the moment the blond-haired man stepped in. A brigadier's star showed on his crisp AFRF uniform, with the branch insignia of a MechWarrior joined with the insignia of the Arcadian Guards. It was a quintessentially Arcadian emblem, Arnold felt; a swooping hawk, wings bent in a dive, a sword in its talons and a broken set of manacles in its wake. The Pride of the Free, they call themselves. So typical of the Arcadian mindset. Maybe I'd appreciate it more if my parents hadn't ensured my upbringing was properly Tharkadian and Lyran. He noted the name plate on the uniform had properly scrunched the long, three-part name "Proctor-Steiner-Davion" down to fit on its ten centimeter length, making it barely legible to anyone without 20/20 vision and impossible to read from across the room. "Brigadier, right on time."
Given protocols a salute wasn't called for, but standing at attention was. "Brigadier Proctor-Steiner-Davion, reporting as ordered."
Arnold considered his younger cousin. Victor Ian Proctor-Steiner-Davion was the eldest of Lord Matthew's children, and the only one to develop a proper Steiner look. He was taller and broader than most of his family. The armored infantry's loss is the MechWarriors' gain, ha. "I called you here as an invitation, Brigadier," Arnold said. "Generals Robertson and Onassis are fulsome in your praise for how well you've handled your posting. Given your record, they're recommending you for early promotion."
The pride he expected showed. Not too hungry, not too self-confident, just the right mix of expectation and understanding of his own value. "I wouldn't want to replace General Onassis just yet, sir, though I've heard the rumors of her retirement."
"This would be regardless of her choice, Brigadier," Arnold said. "To cut to the chase, I'd like you to take some time with my department. The Logistical Planning Center needs a commander with some experience in maintaining a field unit and I believe you'll do admirably. Give it two years and you'll likely have a division afterward." Arnold watched the quiet frown cross Victor's face. He didn't let a similar one come to his own. "Not what you're expecting?"
"To be honest, sir, I wasn't at all expecting a non-field offer, or any promotion," Victor said. "And while I'll go where ordered, I have to say I'm not seeking a staff position at this time, nor am I at all certain I'm fit for one."
"Very candid of you, Brigadier. I like that." And I underestimated your desire to stick with a field command. With all you have to prove I imagined a promotion would be more preferable. Guess we'll have to hope on Onassis retiring. He was briefly tempted to make clear it was an order, but that would be too blatant. He hadn't gotten Personnel entirely on board for it and would definitely step on bureaucratic toes by pushing. "If you ever reconsider, let me know. You wrote some good strategic policy papers in Command School, and I recall your marks at Ayrshire. You'll fit right in with Planning."
"I'll keep it in mind, sir. Is there anything else?"
"Well, while you're here, you might as well give me an update on the Arcadian Guards," Arnold said. "With the Household Guards with His Majesty, your unit is now the primary capital defense force on-planet."
"Of course, sir. I'll be happy to go into details."
The presentation came from memory, and it was a good one. Arnold knew most of it already but didn't betray that knowledge. One of the best-fitted Federal units by far. Still among our best-trained forces too. Useful for our purposes if the Empire strikes, or if EAGLE CRY gets an opening.
"I don't suppose, sir, that with the force expansions the Guards will finally get their expansion?" Victor asked. "It's been talked about for decades. If not for the war and Parliament's cuts…"
"Nothing has come up as of late, Brigadier," Arnold said. And it never will if I have anything to say about that. The Arcadians dominate the Household and Royal Guards enough, they don't need their Guards formation to become its own corps.
"I understand. Do you have anything else for me, or am I dismissed?"
"You are dismissed, Brigadier. Keep up the good work." Arnold watched him leave. I'd hoped to get one of mine into that posting. But there are other units our people have under control, and Victor's a good soldier. He'll follow orders when the time comes.
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EMCOTS-2 15