BeyHop Chpt 21

==Beyond Hope- Chapter 21 - A Thorough Housecleaning==
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"...see that row of tables? That's all listening devices…some date back to the Star League Era…"-Vice minister of intelligence Curiatis, October 3055
===Meeting with Frighten Children===
Hospital
Tharkad, Federated Commonwealth (Lyran State)
June, 3055
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Helena looked over the group of children.
“Hello. My name is Helena. None of you have to say anything if you don’t want to. Indeed, I’ll stay on this side of the room so you all can feel safe in each other’s company over there. If you’re hungry or thirsty there’s a fridge full of a wide selection so please feel free to take what you want.”
Helena kept her face neutral and gave the group a moment to process before she continued.
“There are bathrooms and even showers through those doors if you need them. No one will follow you in there but if you do need help there are call buttons.”
“You…you… You won’t trick us.” A dark skinned boy with curly black hair and deep brown eyes, maybe 12, possibly 13 said.
“No tricks. I will let you all set the pace and the terms of how this is going to go.” Helena shook her head.
“You’re not like the other therapists, how can you possibly relate to us?” An asian girl with pale green eyes, possibly 14, said.
“Because while the details are not the same I’ve been somewhere very similar to where you were and I’ll prove it.” Helena undid her jacket then lifted her shirt to reveal her collection of scars. “As you can see a lot of these are healed and quite old.”
The look on the children’s faces became something else.
There was still fear and anxiety. That look that comes only from being subjected to abject horror. But something new too. Recognition. The faintest seed of hope.
“It’s not easy. I still have the nightmares. A good night’s sleep is still almost unheard of for me. And I still have issues with strangers, particularly groups of them. But I’m also now in charge of the AFFC’s Navy. So if I can claw back this much of my life that means you all have a chance too.”
“What’s going to happen to us now?” The girl said.
Her and the boy are the gate keepers and ring leaders, the others are looking to them for protection and guidance. Helena looked at the girl.
“For right now, we’ll meet in a group like this until I can prove myself to you and you feel safe. Long term, I’ll do my best to find good people to take you in.”
“You going to draft us when we get of age?” The boy asked.
“If I have any say in the matter, that will be your choice. I won’t stop any of you from joining voluntarily but if anything I want you to think about that carefully and make sure you’re joining for the right reasons. Anger, revenge. They are powerful motivators. I know that all too well.”
“You really do know don’t you?” The girl asked.
“Yes.”
“You said you still have the nightmares. How do you do what you do?”
“I have people around me invested in putting me back together. That helps. I also speak to a therapist of my own once a week. Even then to do what the Archon and Elizabeth ask of me I take on a persona. It only really sets in fully when I put on my old Star League uniform. I become someone else. Someone fearless. Someone who can do all the things that regular Helena cannot.”
“The War Witch.” The boy said quietly.
“Yes. I got that name from an old friend, because he saw me transform. Like I put a spell on myself. Then he saw how I could put my spell on others to achieve things without flinching, shirking, or throwing up. Though sometimes when I took off my uniform I would still do those things. I even crawl up into a ball and cry sometimes.”
“So why not stay the War Witch all the time?” The girl asked.
“Because as much as I flinch, shirk, or get scared I am still Helena. And the uniform must come off eventually.”
“Why?” The girl asked.
“Because it is also a reminder. Like you my tormentors wore uniforms. Mine wore Star League uniforms. So even with becoming the War Witch, it becomes intolerable to wear after a while.”
“Why tell us something like that? Especially after saying we have a chance?”
“Because as much as it sounds like a contradiction, both statements are actually true. So I’m going to give it to you all straight. That means admitting it is a chance.”
“So some of us might not make it.” The boy understood.
“Yes. I’ll understand if you all want to talk to someone else.”
“That depends on the answer to one question. Can you teach us to be like you?” The girl asked.
“I will certainly do my best.” Helena nodded. “Another thing I will avoid as much as possible is make promises I cannot keep.”
“Too many adults have promised us things and failed to keep those promises. So we believe you.” The boy declared.
“Very well then. Since I’m still a stranger to you we’ll start with various lectures and how to decide on what your alter ego is like and what their focus is.”
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===Incoming messages===
Kowloon CompoundRoyal Palace, TriadTharkad, Federated Commonwealth (Lyran State)July, 3055
Bianh Vu Dao scowled as she read the dispatches. This "Red Corsair" was not The Red Corsair. Obviously-Katrina the wise hadn't come back from the dead, after all, with a relic warship and enough Clan machines to be mistaken for another invader.
“They are rather, well how to put it, obvious. Wouldn’t you say?” Jane said.
"Obvious is a word. I have other words I'd like to use instead." Bianh commented. 
“Same.” Jane nodded. “But I’m trying to be professional since we’ve got so many more visitors than normal.”
"We're at anchor, while some ground unit is trying to chase this bitch down." Bianh's scowl only deepened. "We should be out there."
“Helena would dispatch us to help if there were no good reason to keep us here.”
"If not you and me, then The Service. Why hasn't she tapped the ships we've already salvaged?" Bianh groused, "Giao Pham's got our Mako class-"
“Look at what is available versus what this false Corsair is using. It would go poorly in the current state of readiness.”
"Also, a Mako class Corvette would last about thirty seconds against the warship the Red Corsair's riding." Helena was back from her photo-op, "and that's assuming you caught them flat-footed."
“That is a more direct way of saying what I was trying to get across.” Jane nodded.
“Do I need a meter stick yet for the mountain of paperwork that’s built up while I was away making the Archon happy?” Helena asked.
"Vice Admiral Li has already started paring it down for you, mum." Bianh answered, "Which really means she's got the staff doing it in shifts."
“Good. Means we’re starting to get things normalized if we have enough staff that I don’t need the meter stick yet to measure the depth of the paperwork on my desk.”
"Oh, you'll still need the meter-stick, just not to measure undone paperwork." Bianh stated, "they got the office sections of Heligolad dried in and moved in some workstations and temporary quarters, you're probably advised to take it so you can beat some sense into the Admiralty without killing them."
“Or measure for curtains. Whichever.”
"The beatings will work better. They're trying to argue for reinstituting the sections of the Naval Doctrine you had removed." Bianh stated. 
“Next time I hear a Command Grade officer even so much as mutter ‘ram’ I might go over to them, pick them up and throw them head first into the nearest solid object. Maybe they’ll get the message then.” Helena shook her head.
"That's one way to employ aversion training. Another would be to come 'down from the mountain' with a stick, and beat them until they either see sense, or stop moving. Some of those O-6's and higher cling to Romantic notions not made any better by the fact we had to excise those sections from the original SLDF manuals." Jane quipped.
“You know the SLDF was so insane that they had to actually build a few hundred frigates because of a clerical error.”
"If I remember right, those weren't bad Frigates." Jane stated, "Worlds better than the Barons, anyway."
“True but when you have that sort of institutionalized wastage that it’s actually cheaper and easier to build the ships than not, it creates silly ideas in doctrine.” Helena nodded.
"Speaking of that, did you talk to Her Highness about letting us-"
"No. I spoke to her, and for the time being, the answer is 'no'. Apparently Her Highness feels that rebuilding the Navy and actually running it is a higher priority than chasing down some gloryhound Clanner playing pirate."
"What about pulling from the Coa-"
"Also no, they're to remain in their AOR until they've got at least a small group of light warships."
“Tried to tell you Bianh.” Jane nodded.
“But the good news is after I get to pack up my office.” Helena put on a smile.
“Good girl.” Jane nodded.
“But we need to do something.” Bianh lamented.
“We will.” Helena made a show of hefting her briefcase in the microgravity. “Training programs, projections, reports, all sorts of fun stuff to get this navy on track to add to the pile waiting in my office.”
Jane looked thoughtful, "OH…Helena, Alarion confirmed the drift on the SLS Orkney Island, Survey team says it's about seventy percent complete with a resonance scan showing the core's not compromised."
“Excellent. Any luck on the other sites in your memory core for where Kerensky stashed some goodies during the War?” Helena asked.
"Odessa dock, but the survey crew claims someone's visited recently, chief suspect there being Comstar. Or Word of Blake..or whatever faction broke off the Communications Ministry after Tukayyid. Nobody's certain yet."
“No surprise if it is them. They would have much the same records as us. I’m going to start transferring my office. Might be a long shot but see who we can get out there to follow up.”
"Tell them to pick up their trash, dammit." Jane joked, "I swear office-flavored officers have the worst habits."
“So some transfers to janitorial staff are in order.” Helena nodded.
"I'm thinking 'cleanup details' instead. We still need the professional bureaucrats to Bureaucrat most of the day." Jane suggested, "Unless you want the mountain of paperwork."
“What I want is no longer relevant. But I will get the staff sorted out so they stop making messes. Lest they find my boot up their asses.”
“While that might be funny to see and feel good for a few moments you know you need a real solution.” Jane giggled.
“Work details. Yeah. I’ll get them added to the rotations.” Helena nodded. “And I’m doing fine after visiting the kids. You don’t have to keep distracting me by hounding on the same topic over and over.”
Jane froze for a moment, then, "Oh my. Incoming messages."
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From: Acting Chief of Staff, Coast Guard Pham, Giao (Commodore pro-tem)
To: Minister of Naval Affairs Cameron, Helena Drillson
CC: Vice Admiral Li, Alicia, Duchess Ngo, Elizabeth Anne.
RE: Newtown Square
Sorry this might make the news. KCGS Mary Redd a Commerce Protection variant Sampan 1 has engaged the former SLS Kingswood near the Nadir point of the Newtown Square system using Rockbreaker modified White Shark torpedoes.
This action was taken under Special instruction 2751b/subsection 11, Paragraph Nine and Document 2788,11.26, chapter 22, subsection 30 of the Annexation Agreement between Kowloon and the Lyran Commonwealth (see attached).
Confirmed hits to Kingswood using 15KT rockbreaker warheads and contact fuse detonators. Kingswood was in the hands of Deserter formation 'Clan Steel Viper'. 
Coast Guard requests command authority to process EPW's asap, as the enemy's fighter screen and landing craft were already detached at the time of the engagement. 
Pham.
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"Nukes." Helena said, "They used Nukes."
“You seem surprised.” Jane said.
“I know why, I guess it is just that things have finally come that far. Okay. Who do we have that can get there in time?”
"It's an escalation." Bianh observed, "Her Majesty may not be pleased that a provincial sub-department is using Nuclear antishipping ordnance above the Truce line."
"She may be more displeased that her future daughter in law had a nuclear arsenal she didn't report." Jane observed, "People get tried for treason for that, even in our day."
“We have to get ahead of that. I have no idea how to spin it but we should be the ones to inform her if possible.” Helena nodded. “That nearest command authority I asked about?”
“The nearest Lyran force, oh my. You’re not going to like this. It’s Duke Diego and the 8th Regulars.” Jane answered.
“Well at least I can pass that buck since I can’t actually order an Army unit. Heh.”
“What’s so funny?” Bianh asked.
“Looks like I’m not moving office just yet after all.” Helena chuckled lightly.
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===One Person Tool, is another person's Weapon of Mass Destruction===
Private Office of the ArchonRoyal Palace, The TriadTharkad System, Federated Commonwealth (Lyran State)
"They're industrial tools." Elizabeth was in front of The Archon, not so much Melissa Steiner-Davion, but Melissa filling the role.
"Industrial…tools?" Her Majesty asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Mining equipment. For Asteroid mining." Liz answered, "What the Mary Redd was doing in another system is another question and one I can't answer as I've been here since December, but the charges on those missiles? Are rockbreakers, used to break up large concentrations for assay and pre-processing. Evelynn may have the answer as to why my militia was hanging around in the Newtown Square system instead of back home doing antipiracy patrols, but she cited the relevant documents and subsections to make it at least on the face of it somewhat legal."
“Passages from the Ares Conventions and the Articles of War will not stop them from retaliating. We’re not in a state to resist and win, if they do.” Melissa said.
Elizabeth looked thoughtful, "Only, they've been doing that already, haven't they? Attacking shipping, engaging civil traffic at every stop? Blowing up ships?"
“Escalation. Your militia has just announced that we’re willing to escalate to a form of war we’re not actually ready for.” Melissa answered.
Victor Steiner-Davion cleared his throat, "Elizabeth, how many of those warheads have your people got?"
"I can ballpark it?" Liz suggested, "I mean, I can ask how many were picked up. Most of the Rockjack associations have their own manufacturing and supply…but when I left we had around six thousand people certified for atomic demolition work, and that takes at least one test firing and live disarm exercise per year, per certified person…"
"Sweet Jesus…" Victor breathed, "That's…a lot of nukes, Lizzie. There are maybe three thousand people in the whole AFFC who have that certification on active duty."
“That may be so, but you’ve now let the genie out of the bottle. Our only hope is the Clans do not feel like escalating. But since I cannot take that chance I now have to authorize shipping of nuclear ordinance and specialists to every formation within sixty light years of a Clan held world.” Melissa said.
Victor looked canny. "Liz, you have half a billion of these…'rockjacks', yes?"
"About that, yeah." she told him.
"Mom, increase Kowloon's Tithe." Victor stated, "That's how we get ahead of this."
“Yes. Those nukes and specialists will have to come from somewhere and where better since it is one of them who didn’t think beyond the scope of their sights.” Melissa nodded.
"Does this mean I get to go do Duchess things instead of Auditing the Estates General?" Liz asked, "because somebody's going to have to strong-arm the Rockjacks…"
"I'm just going to add it to your workload as Auditor, you're to audit the stockpiles and assure the technicians, technical data, and anything else victor can determine is needed, are in fact accurately reported." Melissa told her. "Victor, have Helena arrange a command circuit to get my future daughter in law to where she can do her job, please?"
“Yes, mother.” Victor nodded.
“Oh and so you don’t think I’m going with this so easily and such an incident will repeat, I will gladly hand over that entire crew if the Clans demand it of us just to de-escalate.” Melissa added.
"How big is the crew of a Sampan One?" Victor asked Liz.
"Seventy people. Twenty crew, six fighter pilots, and a platoon of boarding marines. It's just a Type 51 with some bolt-ons, which means they had to travel for several WEEKS to get to Newtown Square. I want to know what blue ****** they were doing there myself."
“Do so. If that is all the Clans demand of us I will count that as a blessing. Oh, and Elizabeth?"
"Yes, your Majesty?" Liz asked.
"I find it no longer convenient for you to have those warships under local control. Victor, you will consult with Helena and assign supervisory officers to see to transitioning the space arm of the Kowloon Coast Guard to direct AFFC control, this will be done ASAP, as in 'as soon as physically possible'. Have the Marshall of the Armies see to examining their training regimen and lining it up with approved national methods."
"Yes, mother." Victor responded
“Dismissed. Now I have to see if the Clans will take my calls.” Melissa grumbled.
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===Aftermath in Personnel Raids===
Kowloon CompoundTharkad, Federated Commonwealth (Lyran State)
“Good hunting Elizabeth. I’ve got the command circuit all arranged. I’m pretty sure I’m going to owe a lot of people some unconventional favors for a long time to make it happen on such short notice and owe a lot of people some money.”
"It's going to stress-test the treatments something fierce." Liz groused, "You realize I haven't been through a jump since we GOT HERE?"
“I do. I wish there was something more I could do.” Helena nodded.
"At least you're taking a proper Dropship instead of that little private jet." Jane quipped.
"Yeah, somewhere to put the extra puke bags." Liz said resignedly.
“And well there are a fair number of people from the Inspector General’s office, JAG, and a few other support branches going with to clean up this mess.” Helena nodded.
"I have to avoid puking on all of them, too, yeah." Elizabeth hefted her luggage. "Two cubic meters, near enough."
“See? Making an Able Spacer out of you anyway and you’re not even in the Service.” Helena smiled weakly.
"Keep the realm safe and intact, Helena, I'd like to say I didn't wreck things for Arthur and his family by taking off." Liz told her, "Keep yourself safe too while you're at it, you're still my preferred backup plan…and I would miss you if you did something suicidal and got killed."
“I… I will do that.” Helena nodded slowly.
Elizabeth shared hugs with Helena's staffers, then accepted one from Helena before walking to the boarding concourse.
“You sure you’re going to be okay without her? She is one of your stabilizing influences after all.” Jane asked despite knowing there was only one answer.
“What’s the alternative?” Helena understood too.
This is going to be a bad night. Helena thought to herself.
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