EMCOTS 42

=Emergence (Concertverse) - Chapter 42=
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==Peer Review==
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===Plotting on Sian===
Celestial Palace
Imperial City, Wuhan Continent
Sian, Sian Commonality
Oriento-Capellan Empire
11th February, 3143
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Moving across interstellar space at a steady clip via the HPG network, the holo image depicting Nathaniel's speech now played on an active holovid projector in the Advisory Chamber of the Imperial Palace.  Seated in a high-backed chair displaying the standard of the Empire — the Halas raven in flight over the rearing Allison horse, a Liao dao positioned between the two overset by the three pearls of Oriente — Emperor Robert considered his younger peer's words and behavior.  Interesting. So far he has struck me as more the intellectual type, and his course work with the Royal University of Roslyn confirms his potential.  Now he rallies the crowds as the crusading king.  I would be worried if his target was not so obvious.
Arrayed at the table around him were some of his most trusted advisors, including his wife, Empress-Consort Dana Rivoli, who served as his Minister of Production and owned Ceres Metals, one of the top arms producers in the Empire.  The Imperial Strategos, Marshal Yevgeny Danilov,  sat close as well, as did Lady Salma Chen, head of the Maskirovka.  His great-grandmother was likewise represented in the person of Ser Jonathan Hawkwood, a former member of the Knights of the Red Sword, one of Oriente's Knightly Orders that formed the basis for their forces from before the formation of the Empire.  Finally, sitting between the Empress-Consort and Lady Chen, Princess Xiaoli Halas-Liao was the least useful person at the table by far, but she was here to learn, and grudgingly accepted it.
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{"I have full faith in Lady Sophia, my wife-to-be, and my regent Lady Sara-Marie, that with the cooperation of Prince Peter and the Privy Council the Federation's day-to-day affairs will be seen to, and the defenses maintained." Nathaniel was saying to the crowd, his sword now lowered but still unsheathed.  "For my duty lies beyond the Glass…"}
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Robert tapped the control and muted the playback.  "Well."  He folded his hands on the table.  "Our young adversary rides to war, but not with us.  It would seem matters in the Federation progress in ways beneficial to the Empire.  They will not be easily embarking on any strikes with that many troops beyond the Glass."  He said the first line in a very dull tone, inviting objection.
"I concur, Celestial Wisdom." Lady Chen said.  "In conjunction with our intelligence of the recent months, it would seem the uncertain indicators of a potential strike are no longer present, or at least, no longer detectable.  I would not rule out the more hostile elements of the AFRF attempting a provocation, however."
"They would have to be fools." Danilov snorted dismissively.  "With their forces diminished, and months to a year before this new expansion can show fruit, they would be hard pressed to face even a modest counterattack."
"You forget the prospect of the Legions joining them."  Lady Chen leveled a disapproving glare.  "The Imperatrix is more ambitious than her father by far, and claiming worlds from the Empire would please the Rim Commonality section of the Principate, easing their integration."
"He is being a fool, going to the front." Robert murmured.  I misjudged the young man, I thought him too intelligent.  Or immune to that irritating Proctor sentimentalism and moralism.
"Especially with a doddering old woman as his regent." his wife added.  "The Lady Sara-Marie is not a stateswoman, she is a seatwarmer, and was raised a commoner besides.  She lacks the presence to command."
"Undoubtedly she will have the young Lady Sophia Marik and Prince Peter to provide her with direction."  Robert shook his head.  "Yet even with them, I do not trust that the likes of Lord Arnold will not attempt matters regardless, especially with our naval buildup incomplete, and the indications that their naval forces will not be as necessary on the other side in terms of maintaining a campaign.  His subordinates may yet try something while he is out of easy communication."
"Then perhaps, Celestial Wisdom, we should act first?"
Robert turned his head to Ser Jonathan, as did all of the other attendees.  The old knight didn't flinch under the attention, rather he manipulated a control on his noteputer, casting a holomap into the table's projector.  The display showed the length of the border of the two realms, from the resettled world of Köln and the fortress world New Olympia on one end to Sirius and Procyon on the other, the end of the bulge of Imperial-held Terran worlds separating the Royal Federation from the Grand Union of Tikonov.  Icons flashed, showing the present positions of the Empire's frontline forces, including those in transit since Robert agreed to the initial mutual border drawdowns.  "We know that the Proctor Household Guards will be going through the Glass, as well as a number of other formations," Ser Jonathan pointed out.  "This has weakened the defensive assignments along the borders of the Sirian and Harsefeld Commonalities and the Duchy's New Olympia Province."
"Their defenses in the area remain quite formidable in assignment." Danilov pointed out icily.  "The Atrean Dragoons and Marik Regulars remain concentrated in the Principality of Atreus, and numerous major formations remain on or near the border, including four of the Royal Assault regiments.  Not to mention they maintain reserves in the Hesperus and Arcadia regions that can be quickly deployed."
"Not if we throw our naval power at them.  We will have an opening towards the end of the year when the Ser Arthur Klaes and the King Alexander join the fleet.  We can commit the vast bulk of the Navy to positions on their Royal Road network, which we can seize with Marines, and intercept any incoming reinforcements, while the Orders and Fusiliers claim Atreus and Campbelton for the Empire, and the bulk of the Liao Guards, Harsefeld Lancers, and Sian Dragoons fall upon their garrisons at Irian, Marik, New Dallas, and New Earth."  A button press reflected these movements on the map.  "The Second, Third, and Fifth Allison Heavy Guards, and the Free Worlds Guards brigades, will remain in reserve, or to embark on a second wave assault on whichever targets we please, from Summer to Stewart."  Ser Jonathan grinned.  "The Cadies will think it's 3041 all over again by the time we're done.  They'll wish it was just 3041."
The reference to the Empire's successful offensive a hundred years ago, in their intervention into the War of Donegalian Succession that carried their armies to McAffe, a mere two jumps from Arcadia, was clearly meant to inspire.  A snort was the answer instead.  "Yes, Ser Jonathan," Xiaoli said, giggling very snidely.  "If at first you don't succeed, try try try and try again, yes?  The fourth time will be the charm on your Orders' continued failures to conquer Atreus? Or would this be the fifth try, I've honestly lost count."
Robert and Empress Dana shot stern looks at their daughter. Speaking out of turn as she was, but there was a tittering of laughter from some of the others, especially Lady Chen and Marshal Danilov.  The look of pale, expressionless rage that formed on the knight said it all.  He and his comrades came close in '19.  Very close to securing Grandmother Eris' dream of seizing Atreus as punishment for the humiliation the Arcadians delivered her a century ago.  Now my daughter, with her wild mouth, throws that failure in his face.  All those lost comrades, his lost arm, and she insults him.  I will have words with her later.
"This plan is wildly dangerous." Danilov said.  "The Legions will counterattack into the Grand Duchy, and it leaves our border with the Fedrats wide open!  Those pirate spawn of Grace Silver-Davion's will be wide open to attempt a reconquest of Grand Base and Bellatrix, maybe even Sarna!"
"And the Concord will grab for Filtvelt while the Dragon invades the Azami and Tikonov." Ser Jonathan predicted.  "Though perhaps the Dragon will seize opportunity and focus instead on Arcturus, leaving the Azami free to strike at Sabik and raid the Isle of Skye.  As for the Legions, they have wasted away since the war, and are needed to keep the Rim Commonality separatists down, as I know Lady Chen has been hard at work with them."
"A restored Rim Commonality that is friend to the Empire would be an opportune outcome." Chen agreed.
"You speak of igniting a new Succession War." Robert said.  "Would you have me repeat my father's mistakes?  All so your mistress can finally avenge a century old insult, regardless of what it would risk for the Empire?"
"We would win this time, Celestial Wisdom," Ser Jonathan insisted.  "The boy king of our enemy has provided us the perfect opportunity to reclaim what we lost at Dieron, and break the power of the Proctors for two generations!"
"Only if absolutely everything goes your way." Danilov shouted.  "This is not an offensive of strategy, it is a lashing out, by an old woman who lives on her hatred!"
"I challenge you, Marshal!" Ser Jonathan screamed.  "You, who dare to insult the founding Empress!"
"Silence!" Robert's voice filled the room and quieted matters.  "There will be no duels!  Strategos, you forget yourself, the Dowager Empress is of my blood and you will refer to her appropriately!"
"My apologies, Celestial Wisdom, I let my passions go too far." Danilov said, bowing his head for effect.
"As for you, Ser Jonathan, I will not be coaxed into repeating history!"  Robert waved dismissively at the map.  "My father listened to similar advice thirty years ago, and it brought us the Fourth Succession War, where we avoided disaster by the slimmest of margins.  Now we do not even have the fig leaf of the old Compact to safeguard our rear, just another enemy looking for revenge.  The Navy will be the shield that protects the Empire from future threats, not your cudgel for wild plans of glory and conquest!  The answer is no."
Ser Jonathan's face gradually regained color, but it was clear he still felt aggrieved.  "Understood, Celestial Wisdom."
"We will let this play out." Robert said to the others.  "Though on the matter of the Glass, I would make inquiries as to our progress in that field."
His Minister of the Sciences, Mandarin Eric Cheng, answered.  "I am pleased to report, Celestial Wisdom, that the research teams have made theoretical progress, and some test jumps by multiple ships have shown interesting readings that were not present in recorded scans from the years prior to 3132."
"So, then it is possible.  We might make our own Glass." Robert commented
"It appears so, Celestial Wisdom."
And then we will meet our counterparts on the other side, this reformed Free Worlds League, and an intact Capellan Confederation.  I wonder if this Daoshen Liao is some sort of madman and megalomaniac, or simply living to a standard established for him?  We will have to be cautious…  "Then bid them to continue their work, but do not attempt a Glass-making until I have approved it."
"As you wish, Celestial Wisdom." Cheng, answered.
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===Imperiatrix Considers King's Speech===
Imperial Palace
Nova Roma, Gaul Continent
Alphard, Capitol Province
Flavian Principate
13th February, 3143
The Imperial Palace.  The name itself won the attention of all of Nova Roma's four millions, given the prominent place the Palace enjoyed on the skyline.  The sprawling city was a ring of modern skyrises and structures, fit for the capital of a major Successor State of the post-Star League Inner Sphere.
Of course, this was not in the Inner Sphere, as it was generally known.  While the majority of the two hundred and forty worlds and star systems that made up the Principate were in the Inner Sphere, Alphard was out on the Periphery, the furthest reaches of Human space, where colonizable worlds grew rare due to accidents of solar formations or one of a hundred other theories why so many of the habitable garden worlds lay within four hundred light years of Earth before their numbers dwindled by average.
This fact was part of the character of the world.  Settled partly in Star League days, then re-settled in the thirtieth century, the people of Alphard had a special pride in themselves and the Principate.  They, who were once derided as backwoods periphery barbarians, now governed the fates of peoples on worlds like Timbiqui, Cajamarca, Regulus, and Tematagi.  They'd become one of the major states of the Inner Sphere by sword and by pen.  It was the leaders and delegates of those worlds that came here, out to the Periphery, to interact with their ruler and the institutions that ruled them, a complete reverse of the history of the rest of the Periphery.
Of course, not all of Nova Roma was a glittering jewel of modernity.  In the heart of the city, within that ring, the old sandstone structures of the early Marian Hegemony still contained the principle institutions of the capital.  The Imperial Palace itself was no exception, rising in the center, flanked by the Senate, Ministerium, and Magisterium — the legislative, administrative, and judicial leadership of the Principate's government — as well as the Collegium Bellorum Imperial and attached Administratium Bellorum Imperial, where the PAF's officers were trained, PAF's military command administration was located, adjoined by the barracks for I Legio, part of the capital's defensive force.  The Praetorian Guards likewise kept their barracks in the Palace itself, a combined arms regiment of MechWarriors, aerospace pilots, vehicle crews, and battle armor troopers that protected the figure at the top of the Principate.
A palace servant brought her a fresh glass of wine.  To one side, her husband Sanjeet Vulcan-Maximus enjoyed his own glass, while on the other, Chief Minister Marcus Anthony Zielinski was quietly observing the recorded footage from Arcadia.  Once the speech was over, he was the one who terminated the playback.  "An… interesting speech, Your Highness, don't you think?"
A smirk curled her lips.  "I was informed by our analysts, and my cousin, that he was an intelligent man, but the new High King sounds disappointing.  Those were not the words of intellect, they were the impassioned beatings of a flighty mystic."  The smirk turned to a frown.  "And thanks to his whims of 'moral war', a prime opportunity to crush our common foe slips away."
"If Claudius' reports are anything to go by, he was never going to approve EAGLE CRY," Sanjeet said.  "If we curse anything it should be that High Queen Jacqueline failed to take care of herself."
"She was a foolish woman in her own way, but one we could use," Julia said.  "Her hatred of the Empire, in particular.  With it clear the Arcadians are going to waste the next two years, or more, on this vainglorious 'crusade' of Nathaniel's, we can no longer count on their participation against the Empire.  What, then, shall we do?"
"We needed their war fleet in conjunction with ours to make the pre-emptive strikes feasible." Zielinski noted.  "Perhaps Lord Arnold will find a way to see it through, but I would not be certain if Nathaniel's loyalists maintain a grip on government power."
"So it would seem our alternative is to build further.  The Senate will have to be pressed."
"We could expand our constructive capacity at Tematagi and Karachi."  Sanjit took a moment to take a sip of wine.  "Promote it as an economic investment measure, to restore the old Rim Commonalty's industries to full."
"Your collective committees may not concur with establishing greater internal competition, Sanjit."  Julia considered the matter.  "Still, it will help, though we are surrendering the initiative to the Empire.  Nor do I like the recent reports among the legions along the borders.  The old fires that claimed my grandfather and enabled Scipio are igniting once more."
Zielinski knew immediately whom she meant.  "The King of Pilpala can be dealt with by the Vigilus."
"And turn the other auxiliaries against me?  No.  The 'King' may not be respected, but his position is too similar to their own."  Julia shook her head.  "Perhaps I should let my displeasure towards the Arcadians be more obvious.  Let him make a descent or two on the Bolanese… no, you needn't frown, Sanjit, I am merely voicing frustration.  Scipio's folly destroyed decades of careful work turning those moralizing busybodies into our allies, and we are decades still from undoing that stroke of ambitious stupidity."
"Perhaps the legions may be appeased with the Empire as a target?" Zielinski suggested.  "Nothing direct, of course, but some out of control forces making things hard for the Dowager and letting the hotheads vent.  We needn't turn our border into another Kilbourne-Combine zone, of course.  And who knows, perhaps they will start focusing towards the Davions."
"That would be too beneficial, I dare not assume it would be."  Julia set the wineglass down.  "For the time being, we watch, and we keep our legions prepared.  And maybe, if we are fortunate, the boy king gets himself killed and High Queen Melissa commits to a timetable."
"If we are fortunate," Zielinski murmured.
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===Davion Reaction to King's Speech===
Davion Palace
Avalon City, New Avalon
Crucis March
Federated Suns (Farside)
14th February, 3143
For most people of Avalon City, Valentine's Day was a time for romance and the commemoration of love.  The homily of the Saint Valentine Mass given by Pope Gallant IX of the New Avalon Catholic Church still hung in First Prince Grace's mind as she began business in the State Chambers.
One of a number of rebuilt rooms in the Palace after the damages suffered in 3050 and 3071-72 against invaders, the State Room was dominated by the great jeweled mosaic on the inner wall, opposite the large windows looking out at Avalon City.   The mosaic represented the original Federated Suns as it had been when the Star League fell apart following the defeat of Amaris and Kerensky's death, with glittering gems for all three hundred plus stars that once made up House Davion's Federation, New Avalon a glittering large fire diamond of the richest red.
Her realm today had a rather different shape.  Robinson, represented as one of the historic March Capitals with a fine sun ruby from the gem mines of Markesan, was still in Concord hands, as was most of the former Draconis March and parts of the old Outer March.  Yet her Federated Suns was of even greater economic and territorial scope, as it included the entirety of the old Taurian Concordat and parts of what were once worlds of the Capellan Confederation, including the old Star League factory world of Victoria and the founding Capellan world St. Ives, where her distant relatives from House Silver still governed over a population still heavily East Asian in culture.
Grace's table had the usual retinue.  Her husband Eric Sandoval, the exiled ruler of Robinson and House Sandoval; her nephew Colonel Victor Silver-Davion, Prince's Champion and youngest child of her middle brother Jonathan; First Minister Bao Chen Luo, the head of the House Council and responsible to the Assembly of Worlds; the heads of the AFFS, Marshal of the Armies Fernando Gutierrez and Fleet Admiral Gloria Morgan; finally, Lord Alastair Danton, the Minister of Information, Intelligence, and Operations.  All watched quietly while Lord Cunningham's transmitted report, or rather the coronation speech attached to said report, played on the holovid built into the State Room's table.
"Well, he's full of fire." Victor said, grinning thinly.  He was a tall man with a head of fiery red hair cut to military perfection, much like his father's, given both the Silvers and Davions had a genetic tendency towards red hair.  Also like his father, he was one of the best MechWarriors the family had ever produced, an officer of the First Davion Guards from his early commissioning at the very end of the Fourth Succession War.  "So much for that talk about him being a coward afraid of war."
"I never imagined he was a coward, simply not interested in more war," Grace said.  "but given those images that came through the Glass, I'm not surprised that it'd put fire into any belly."
"There is the matter of what this means for the balance of power."  Bao spoke with a quiet, firm tone, as was his wont.  "The Lyrans and COMINTERSTEL working together means both may be reduced in their capability to confront the Dracs.  The Dragon may decide to strike them, or alternatively, that it can widen its unofficial war with the Concord beyond the Outworlds region.  That may have ramifications of its own."
""And there's no telling what the damn Liaos are plotting." Admiral Morgan added.  "They've got breathing room now to finish that fleet expansion."
"Going by his rhetoric Nathaniel wouldn't have stopped them," Grace said.  "so I see little having changed there."  She turned her head toward Bao.  "Unless matters have changed in the Assembly?"
"No, all of the major parties and blocs concur on the need to expand the Navy, Your Highness." Bao said.  "We're set to continue our own building as scheduled."
"The Concord and Combine will as well, of course," Victor opined.  "and we continue on our merry way towards a naval arms race."
"Better than the alternatives," Grace said. "anything from Doctor Sato and that team from the Sakharov Institute?"
Gutierrez was the one to reply.  "According to the last report from NAIS, they're ready to begin proper testing.  The number of JumpShips and WarShips they're asking for is going to be noticeable, though."
"See what you can do about it, Lord Alastair." Grace said to Danton, who nodded quietly.  It irritated her that Danton seemed devoted to playing the quiet spymaster stereotype to the hilt.  "And I suppose that brings us on to other business…"
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===Dragon lies in Wait===
Unity Palace
Imperial City
Luthien, Pesht Military District
Draconis Combine (Farside)
15th February, 3143
After dismissing his wife from one of their rare visits — House Kurita needed more heirs after all — Coordinator Yorinaga Kurita eased himself onto one of the sitting mats in his receiving room, wearing the kimono of black and red for his private suites.  Outside the Order of the Black Dragon's bodyguards stood ready to challenge any who approached his chambers; inside, their leader, Grand Master Ichiro Tetsuhara, sat likewise in a casual kimono of alternating red and black colors, the twin black dragons of his order's current seal visible on the chest.
The news from Arcadia was a week old, but Yorinaga had only just returned from a trip to Pesht to consult on matters with his uncle Tai-shu Hadeo. Now that he was home and had seen to the urgent business of his return, Master Tetsuhara was free to bring his attention to the recordings and full report he'd only heard of in passing.
He listened to the new ruler of Arcadia with quiet contemplation.  The usual wheedling about 'liberty' or 'freedom' or whatever other lies the gaijin tell themselves to justify defying the Dragon's might.  At least with Emperor Robert I only need deal with practical matters, not such tripe. "Well.  I see patience continues to bring benefit," he murmured.  "This will certainly prevent any foolish repeat of Vega or New Wessex."
"There is the matter of Tai-shu Rhee's proposal, noble Dragon." Tetsuharu remarked.  "If we gave him command of the Otomo and the available Swords of Light, and some reinforcement from Pesht, Arcturus might very well be gained for the Dragon's glory, or the systems that border Vega at the very least.  And we would sow terror and discord in the Royal Federation."
"We would harden their resolve too." Yorinaga noted.
"The Order and the ISF know how to deal with such 'resolve', great Dragon." Tetsuhara assured him.  "Tai-sho Ballymont would likewise be greatly indebted for a chance to atone for his failure on Vega."
"I'm sure he would.  And perhaps, in time, he will get that chance.  Has the ISF found my traitorous cousin yet?"
Tetsuhara shook his head.  "No.  Contact was lost last year and he has not been found at the usual locations.  A few analysts have proposed the Arcadians may have quietly disposed of him for pushing matters against us while they eye the Capellans' naval buildup."
"No.  They would not gift us such." Yorinaga said dismissively.
"Indeed, and I have had ISF flag those analysts for observation, in the event they are loyal to the would-be usurper.  Meanwhile we do have DEST teams in deep cover in the Arcadians' Arcturus Theater, ready to move should Musashi be located."
"Very well.  I require no further information until the deed is done."  Yorinaga turned his attention back to the frozen holoimage of his new enemy, sword raised and rallying his people to war.  "Perhaps fortune will be with the Dragon in another way.  Nathaniel has the potential to become one of our most intractable foes.  Should these 'Clans' cut him down, the Dragon will benefit."
"I concur, great Dragon."  Tetsuhara smiled.  "If it is your wish, the ISF can ensure he does not return."
"Ha! Hahaha!"  Yorinaga's laugh startled his loyal retainer. "They might try, but I would have such devoted servants of the Dragon spend their lives on more fruitful plots.  Nathaniel is making enemies even among his own people, and they may very well settle the matter for us."
"The Dragon's wisdom again shines through my foolishness."
Yorinaga waved dismissively.  "This is not court, Master Tetsuhara, I need no flattery.  It was a worthy suggestion, and perhaps one day may be necessary, but for now, we will wait patiently.  Our scientists continue to investigate how this Glass was formed, so that we might create our own or destroy the existing one as we require.  Our enemies continue to be blind to the Dragon's true strength.  We gain everything through patience.  We will see how events play out, and when the time comes, the Dragon will claim its due."
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EMCOTS 42