DVH Chpt 16

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==Davion Heir (BattleTech CYOA)Chapter 16==
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===Negotiations and News of Invasion===
New Olympia, Ares
Capellan March, Federated Suns
24th October, 3015
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“Chancellor Candace Liao,” Victoria greets her fellow Successor Lord.
“First Prince Victoria Davion,” replies the eldest daughter of Maximilian Liao and his only surviving offspring.
 
Victoria isn’t sure if Romano Liao suffered a genuine accident or not and neither is MIIO or SAFE, but if she didn’t. Someone was playing kingmaker between the two sisters and decided to bet on the older and saner one. Hopefully they won’t consider Candace deciding to cut a deal with Victoria to be a bad bet on their part.
 
“To be blunt, the situation with the Combine has deteriorated enough that I am willing to accept the overly generous terms that you are requesting,” says Victoria as she looks at the woman, a cold beauty dressed up in the finery of the Capellan Confederation in stark contrast to the dress uniform and medals that Victoria is wearing, “Put simply, the need to secure my flank and remove you as a potential knife in the back is pressing, I am willing to accept you as the ruler of a new march within the Federated Suns with House Liao as its ancestral rulers just as the Haseks rule over the Capellan March and the Sandovals rule over the Draconis March. Just don’t mistake this as your cue to start making additional demands. I’m choosing this because it is an easy solution and if you start to make it harder, I will happily back out of it.”
 
“I thank you for your generosity,” replies the Chancellor with a slight inclination of her head, “I shall endeavor to live up to your expectations in turn.”
 
“Just so we are on the same page, I’m going to give you a grace period to get your worlds up to the standards of the Federated Suns,” continues Victoria, “I don’t expect instant results, but I want to see some progress over the next few years. There is no place for slavery in the Federated Suns and as far as I am concerned, that is what the Servitor caste is. I also won’t tolerate Mask infringing upon the rights of my citizens. I’m willing to overlook past misdeeds in the name of conciliation, but I will do no such thing for future abuses. We are also more economically liberal, but frankly, you seem close enough in agreement with me that I have no worries there.”
 
“Such changes were expected and both I and my court are aware that they will be coming,” says Candace, “May I ask about the status of the worlds taken from the Confederation?”
 
“All worlds taken in my reign by the AFFS will be given to your new march,” answers Victoria, remembering that primary point of contention between her and the Chancellor in their previous talks, “As for the worlds prior to my reign, that is a more difficult matter, especially for the ones whose current inhabitants have no memory of Capellan rule. Even with the more recent ones, I’ll have to speak with Duke Hasek-Davion and he won’t be happy with it. He isn’t going to be happy about giving up the most recent additions to his march let alone any older ones.”
 
“What of the other worlds taken?” asks Candace and Victoria lets out a sigh as while it isn’t the best decorum, she has the upper hand here and frankly she is too stressed to care.
 
“I’m not picking a fight with the League, but I’ll speak to Janos about Liao, the planet that is,” Victoria tells her, “I may need to trade one of your military factories. The League got the short end of the stick in terms of military industries when it came to the invasion and at the moment it is the only leverage that I have on Janos. Especially since any goodwill will be stretched thin by absorbing the remainder of the Confederation as a new march.”
 
“I would argue that the Confederation was the worst off in terms of military industry at the end of the invasion, but I understand your point,” replies Candace with a smile that could be fake or genuine as Victoria can’t tell and really doesn’t care, “What of the Periphery? Many groups have been opportunistic down there in regards to my worlds.”
 
That takes Victoria a moment to think about it. Between the Canopians, the Taurians, the Aurigans and McCarron, a decent number of worlds have been conquered by minor powers even before you got into those who had declared independence. One world, Principia, had even peacefully joined the Free Worlds League.
 
Victoria had no love lost for the Big MAC and its leader despite the man’s attempt to legitimise himself, but she had no intention of picking a fight with the Bulls right now and the Aurigan Coalition was an interesting diplomatic opportunity and a way to put some pressure on the Concordat if they rejected a diplomatic solution to the threat they posed. As for the Canopians, Victoria bore no ill-will to the Magistracy, but the MAF was overextended in regard to its conquests and the current Magistrix was too hostile to the League to befriend.
 
“McCarron is free game right now unless he makes some very convincing offers,” says Victoria after a few seconds, “I don’t wish for the Federated Suns to fight the Taurian Concordat or Aurigan Coalition right now so leave them me, but feel free to expel the Magistracy. They are grasping beyond their reach and their current leader has been unreasonable and seems like she will continue to be so.”
 
“As you say,” replies Candace and Victoria wishes she could tell if the Liao counts her answer as a victory or defeat.
 
“Great,” says Victoria as she spots Tahmina covertly signalling her, “Now if we could take a brief recess to discuss what we have agreed upon already before we attend to the details.”
 
“Of course, First Prince Victoria.” replies Candace and Victoria is all too happy to leave the table.
 
High-stakes diplomacy isn’t something that Victoria wants to do right now. Not with all the stress that the Draconis Combine and Hikari Yamamoto have been causing her. 
 
“What is it?” Victoria asks Tahmina in a hushed tone as the two of them walk out of the room.
 
“Bad news from Marduk,” replies Tahmina, “Dracs showed up with five regiments, including the Seventh Sword of Light and three of their new formations, two Bows of Light and the Phantom Legions. Also one of the more inexperienced Benjamin Regulars formation.”
 
A substantial force, especially since the Bows of Light are a limited attempt at a combined arms formation that Yamamoto convinced the Coordinator to go along with. On the other hand, all of the units apart from the Sword of Light are inexperienced and in addition to having a decent militia, Victoria ensured that Marduk is protected by two RCTs, the 8th Deneb Light Cavalry and the 3rd Davion Guards. Victoria has no doubt that it would be a hard-fought battle, but the AFFS garrison should pull through yet Tahmina says that it is bad news and the First Prince suspects that bad news is more than just the attack.
 
“How bad have things gone?” inquires Victoria and then flinches as she watches Tahmina suppress a wince, “Damn, that bad?”
 
“That bad,” confirms Tahmina glumly, “Long story short, Marduk has fallen to the Combine and the Third Davion Guards were effectively destroyed. Though they didn’t go down without putting up a good fight.”
 
“How?” demands Victoria, feeling a little stunned at this very unexpected turn of events as Olivia Fenlon catches up with them.
 
“What’s wrong?” asks the Minister of Foreign Relations as she looks between Victoria and Tahmina.
 
“Marduk has been conquered and the Third Davion Guards were destroyed in the process,” answers Tahmina and Olivia lets out a gasp, “A proper analysis is still pending, but the reports say that both Bows of Light pinned them down at the Norse BattleMech Works factory and then a LosTech-equipped Seventh Sword of Light dealt a death blow before they could break free. They paid a price for it with the Bows of Light losing half of their ‘Mechs and the Sword of Light losing some of their precious LosTech machines.”
“How many LosTech ‘Mechs got destroyed?” demands Victoria and Tahmina lets out a sigh.
 
“Around a company, some of which might be salvageable.” admits Tahmina, “The Deneb Light Cavalry was having it out with the Benjamin Regulars and Phantom Legion and they traded losses with both sides losing about a battalion’s worth. Could have gone on longer, but the Eighth called it quits when the Davion Guards were lost.”
 
“Did any of the Third Davion Guards make it out?” asks Olivia, sounding low-key horrified at the news.
 
“Their DropShips made it out with their support personnel and their surviving conventional regiments of which we got around a third or a little more than that remaining.” replies Tahmina, “They also got a few MechWarriors and some wrecked ‘Mechs that were undergoing repairs. The rest of the Deneb Light Cavalry RCT also made it out so they’re still functional as an RCT. As for the overall losses, on paper we took down more of their ‘Mechs than they did ours, but the DCMS is holding the field which means they’ll be salvaging some machines from both sides.”
 
“I’m going to pull back the Third Davion Guards to New Avalon for rebuilding and transfer the Heavy Davion Guards to the Draconis March as a replacement.” says Victoria with a frown while her mind is racing, “I’ll also be speaking with Yvonne about putting together a taskforce to retake Marduk. Hopefully Candace will be trustworthy enough to free up some units to send to the Combine front.”
 
“She will be.” says Olivia confidently, drawing the attention of both Victoria and Tahmina, “She wants to preserve her own power and the Capellan Confederation and right now, both of those things are better served as part of the Federated Suns than by independence or siding with another power.”
 
“What do you mean?” asks Victoria.
 
 “The Combine or one of the Periphery powers can’t protect her and it isn’t feasible for her to subordinate to them.” explains Olivia, “The Lyrans aren't inclined to try and it is only feasible due to their alliance with us, which could be endangered by annexing the Confederation. The League might be willing, but it would never accept the Confederation as a whole. Even in its reduced state, it is still too large to be accepted as a single province and even if it was, the Chancellor would have no chance of getting back the conquered worlds.
“The same isn’t true of the Federated Suns. Our march system allows for the incorporation of a large sub-state like the Capellan Confederation and while it was a contentious request, restoring the newly conquered systems to the Confederation by incorporating them into the new march is something that is on the table. As for independence, it would be the same as the prior status quo of the League and Suns picking off worlds while the Periphery region continues to collapse. So yes, Candace Liao will remain loyal simply because every alternative is worse. Just don’t push her too far.”
 
Victoria has to admit that the reasoning makes sense and it is Olivia’s job to figure out things like that. At this point, it isn’t a question of if the Confederation falls, but when it falls and Victoria can appreciate a surrender on favourable terms as much as she can respect going down fighting.
 
“There is one last thing about Marduk, Vicky.” says Tahmina cautiously and Victoria does not like the sound of that.
 
“What is it?” asks Victoria, trying not to sound too harsh.
 
“Hikari Yamamoto was the one leading the invasion.” answers Tahmina and once again Victoria is cursing the name of that damn woman.
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===Meeting between Janos and Victoria===
Liao Summer Palace, Sian 
Federal Administered Region, Free Worlds League
11th November, 3015
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“Neither I nor parliament are pleased with this turn of events,” says Janos as the Captain-General and First Prince met in the luxurious summer palace that once belonged to House Liao, “Though I personally understand why it happened. I am not sure if the same can be said of parliament.”
 
 “As long as none of the provinces decide to go and invade us, I can live with that,” replies Victoria, “Speaking of which, is that likely?”
 
“Oriente and Orloff will be disappointed, but will understand and the Sirian Concordat has reclaimed its worlds.” answers Janos with a thoughtful frown, “The Anduriens will understand, but may make a fuss anyway though I would be surprised if they invade without the support of the rest of the League. It certainly wouldn’t work out for them though I would request that in such a case, you limit yourself to merely kicking them off of your worlds.”
 
“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Victoria assures him, “Provided that you deal with them on your end.”
 
“I would,” replies Janos with a grim smile, “I can’t afford to let provinces go around invading our allies on their own. In any case, I fear that my troubles will be along the Lyran border. I trust Katrina will be too busy with the Draconians to try anything on our border, but there isn’t much love lost up there. A few influential people from over there think I should take advantage of the Combine threat to backstab the Lyrans while they are distracted and busy.”
 
“I trust that won’t be happening?” asks Victoria cautiously.
 
“You can,” answers Janos bluntly, “Thankfully myself and smarter individuals realize that the threat posed by House Kurita isn’t limited to its current neighbors and more than a few people are smarting about the Combine getting their precious memory core from raiding the League, viewing it as being rightfully ours. While the Kuritans are reversing the existence of LosTech over while the rest of us are still stuck working with the scraps of the Star League, too many people will be too wary of House Kurita’s desire to conquer everyone to break the Solaris Accords.”
 
“That is a great relief to me,” says Victoria, “Amongst everything else, MIIO is predicting that we’ll be looking at eight new BattleMech production lines being brought online in the Draconis Combine. Well, new is a relative term since most of them will be the restoration of damaged factories. The only truly new factories will be a couple of Panther factories, which is bearable, but still a poor sign of things to come. I can only hope that the Combine continues to hobble its own economy with its terrible treatment of it.”
 
“As do I,” agrees Janos, “I respect the Coordinator as a person and how he is able to manage things so deftly, but he'll conquer the League alongside the Commonwealth and the Suns if given a chance.”
 
“Since we are in agreement with the Kuritan threat, could I ask what your plans for the Periphery are?” inquires Victoria.
 
“I have the Wolf’s Dragoons on my payroll for another few years so I’m planning to use them to conquer the Circinus Federation,” answers Janos as he leans back, “The Lyrans will be too busy to complain about us conquering those glorified pirates instead of them and another victory will help shut up more of parliament. After that, I’m thinking of sending them after those Roman wannabes out past the Rim Commonality. They’re the other big group of pirates threatening the League who are also conveniently located on a planet even if they are a bit too far out to conquer. Any particular reason that you asked?”
 
“I would rather that the League doesn’t invade the Magistracy right now,” Victoria tells him, “I understand that the current Magestrix harbors a hatred of the League, but Canopus is still a legitimate state and I’m worried that if it was invaded, the Taurians would view it as being the start of a second Reunification War. Given the trouble that the DCMS is giving me right now, I don’t need a bunch of nuke-happy Bulls causing trouble in my rear.”
 
“I can see the concern and I can assure you I have no intentions of picking a fight with anyone who isn’t a pirate right now,” replies Janos, “I am quite happy to count my victories and let the League do some rebuilding and enjoy some peace.”
 
“I am happy to hear that,” says Victoria, “And going back to our original topic, Candace Liao has accepted that she won’t be getting back the worlds conquered by the League anytime soon. That said, she has raised the subject of getting the world of Liao back for a variety of cultural and political reasons and I promised her that I would at least raise the matter with you.”
“I had wondered if you were going to bring that up.” muses Janos, “I am not willing to just part with Liao given its political significance, but at the same time. It isn’t a traditional League world and it lacks any practical strategic value. Would you be willing to trade a BattleMech factory for it?”
“Do you have one in mind?” asks Victoria.
“The Thunderbolt line on Tikonov or the Vindicator line on St. Ives,” answers Janos promptly, clearly having thought about it ahead of time, “Either of those would be valuable to the League to trade for Liao and I’ll even be generous by letting you pick which one.”
 
“Take the Vindicators from St. Ives,” answers Victoria after a moment, “Even if they aren’t as productive, I have other sources of Vindicators. I will pass the matter off to Minister Fenlon to handle the details since I have enough on my plate.”
 
“Of course.” replies Jano.
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==Author's Chapter Notes==
;Word from the Author: Things are starting to pick up. What’s left of CapCon joins the FedSuns while the League turns its attention to pirate-smashing. Marduk falls and with it, one of the Davion Guard formations, which is going to be a big gut punch for the AFFS.The next chapter will be Victoria organizing the liberation of Marduk and dealing with the Taurian front while Hikari continues to run about causing trouble for the First Prince.
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