WoWS3 Chpt 30

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==Weapons of War Saga: The Final March- Chapter 30 - ==
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===Struggles Love & Loss in amid shadow war===
Throne Room, Triad
Tharkad, Lyran Commonwealth
1st May, 3144
Trillian had been studying the counter proposal delivered by the Ambassador from the Star League in Exile.
“I need another opinion, Roderick. What do you think?” she asked her cousin
“The general outline they are proposing is solid enough. Also an invitation to their home system? Honestly I’m not sure how you’re not jumping at that. If they wanted you dead or captured they could have easily just left the Falcons alone and let your pre-existing foes deal with you.” Roderick told her.
“It means I’d have to leave you in charge while I’m incommunicado.” 
“The nation thanks you without knowing it for the consideration.” 
“I know you aren’t keen on being Archon, but you are my heir. But you might be right. This might not be the time for me to be away from Tharkad for that long of a period. I will accept them coming here.” Trillian told him
“I guess that means I should make preparations for a formal reception.”, Roderick commented
“Yes. She will be bringing an honor guard. It would not do for there to be a misunderstanding about that.” Trillian said.
"You'll need to establish limits, Trillian." Roderick noted, "I'm sure you read the reports from LIC and Loki, what kind of forces she's got, and I know you know how your supporters in the Estates are going to react if Helena Cameron shows up with Manei Domini part two."
“The dispatch does say she will be bringing one regiment, the Royal Black Watch. It contains no unusual requests for their accommodations. But yes it would be wise to ask their Ambassador for more details.” Trillian inform the General of Armies.
"More details, and maybe ask them to keep their robot dogs inside their compound until after the meeting." Roderick noted, "Mind you, I like Alice and her dog, I wish we had more of them, but it's politics-Alaric's been sending feelers to some of worlds within a jump of the region you ceded him…"
“Yes. Alaric could prove troublesome. Too much of the Wolf identity is now predicated on their conquest of Terra and re-establishing the Star League for there to be a long term peace but he is in a position he could create a temporary peace that will allow him to build up even more strength at our expense.” Trillian acknowledged.
"At what human costs?" Roderick asked, "we both worked with him before, you know, just like I do, that he'a not going to settle for less than complete victory, and he's not going to just leave the Commonwealth alone, even if it means delaying his march on Terra-not when we're finally pulling things back together and becoming 'worth something' again."
Trillian studied Roderick, "You're worried about a civil war?"
"It's a real possibility-even with the regions you released from the Commonwealth being gone, the fact is no ruler's rule reaches past the range of their voice." Roderick stressed.
“Which means I need to send a message to those that defy me and one to those whose support I need. I think it is time we brought Vedet Brewer to heel. To gain support we need to invest somewhere.” Trillian told him.
"That's one option and we should pursue it, but Trill…there's a growing faction and I only found out about it recently, and you need them on side."
“I know, thus why we need to invest somewhere. Somewhere useful. Show them that I am willing to actually tend to the realm beyond putting down rebellions.” Trillian said wearily.
Roderick's expression flashed something like pain.
"What?" she asked.
"I'm not talking about the marcher lords, though we need them, too…I'm talking about the Independents. Places like Ender's Cluster might be what we associate to them, but they're wide-spread, and they're organizing, and we need them on side to get the economy back on track, we need them to move your decrees, orders, and initiatives forward…right now, forty percent of our domestic shipping is running on one-horse ships owned by banks and paid off by people who only see planets when they're making deliveries or picking up cargo. I want to reach out to them, and to do that, I need your permission.", Roderick explained.
“Do it. Our current situation isn’t sustainable.” Trillian nodded.
"First step then." he handed her a one-use ComPad. "Her name is Priscilla Deen, you met her once, that 'fake' Corsair. She's been the closest thing most of those indies have to a representative, and I want you to consider her for a title."
“Yes. She does show signs of being someone interesting so at the very least having her closer would be informative.”
"You know something I missed." Roderick said.
"Yes, I do." Trillian stated. "I know what she really is."
He looked nonplussed, and Trillian tapped a few words into the terminal.
"She's a product, Roderick. Clone maybe, maybe something like 'Alice', but if Helena Cameron has them. We should at least get to know more about them, and if they're potentially a threat we need them close, so we can know it."
“My role forces me to think most anything could be a threat but yes this could be quite troublesome.” Roderick commented.
"Cheer up, Alaric hates them." she added. "He tried to send me a 'warning' about them, and a scheme to trap one. I don't feel a pressing need to trap one, do you?"
“Not with what is in orbit.” Roderick shook his head.
"She seemed real, didn't she?" Trillian asked, "Did you sleep with her?"
He sputtered, "No! I mean, I admit, she's not bad looking but she's no Callie Kell..and it didn't come up."
"Pity. you're my heir and you'll need to make heirs yourself." she mused.
"You could do it too." Roderick shot back.
"I haven't found myself with that overwhelming desire just yet, and the guy I like is pining for someone else. I don't play second fiddle to anyone, Roddy." She tossed her hair, "I don't want to be the 'substitute'."
“There are plenty of other viable candidates.” Roderick commented.
"I know. I just haven't found one I can tolerate yet.", Trillian said with a sigh.
“Could always borrow an Iron Womb, getting the genetic material shouldn’t be too difficult.”
"Yeah, but I have YOU to marry off and produce heirs instead!" she laughed.
“I’m simply following my Archon’s example.” Roderick laughed.
"I could go with Uncle Andrew's words there…" she said, and they both chimed "Do as I say, not as I do!'..." and Roderick laughed.
"Yeah…find a woman you can live with, Roderick. I want nieces and nephews, someone I can give the toys that make the noise to."
“And before Nicol gets the same idea.” Roderick finished the unsaid portion.
"Call it a 'long term mission'." Trillian told him, "I'm probably going to die a spinster, so I want to do some vicarious living first."
"You still miss Mel, don't you?" he asked.
"Every day." Trillian admitted. "We keep that between us."
“Of course. Not everyone would understand.”
"Not everyone understands love doesn't always require bed-play." she agreed.
“Nor the bond of family.” Roderick commented.
"Road test your new baroness, see if she's a keeper or just a stopgap to get the indie shippers on our side, but keep her there once she is, Roddy." Trillian said seriously, "We can't afford to lose that haulage."
“I will do as, my Archon commands.”
"If it doesn't work out, I may have to ask Helena if her girl Lori is single. I'm serious about a dynastic marriage to cement your dynasty, Roderick. If you can't find a girl, I'll find one for you." Trillian’s tone left no doubt about how serious she was being.
Roderick just silently nodded.
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===Message to the Republic===
Levin’s office
Terra, Republic of the Sphere
6th May, 3144
“Jonah, glad you could make time for me again.” Illiana said cheerfully.
“I understand you have a new request of us?”
“Let’s be real here. The Blackout is a problem for everybody. We know you’re playing host to a guy who has solved it at Wyatt. Simply put we’d love to compare notes.”
“Mister Harwell is a free citizen and comes and goes as he pleases. He is currently on sabbatical, enjoying a well earned rest and vacation in reward for his efforts and to give him time to recover from his ordeal at the hands of Comstar. We are currently respecting his privacy.”
Translation, you’ve lost him and have no clue where he is.
“Well, then be sure to let him know there is another interested party in his research and do make it clear we’re willing to let him set any reasonable terms. I’d hate for him to think he’s being suckered into another bad situation.”
“Is there anything else?”
“Yes. You should know that Helena is putting out feelers to Alaric, Yori, and Daoshen to negotiate peace settlements or at the very least non-aggression pacts.”
“How… No, I see her rational. We in the Republic are not warmongers either. If she can secure peace in our time, so be it.”
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===Time to Get Smart finding the Suspects===
Back at the Embassy
“Maxwell, Emestine, I have a mission for you two. I need you two to track down Tucker Harwell. Without tipping off the Republic. They’ve lost track of him but I have reason to believe he is still here on Terra. Mars is unlikely. Either way it is clear Tucker is not happy with his current arrangement with the Republic as he’s slipped their custody. I’ve only gotten a brief glance at their censored version of events so be very cautious but also kids gloves.”
“Could take a while with our lack of leads.” Maxwell said. “Still better than sitting around here all day reading local offprints. Come on, 99.” The man said to the other woman with him.
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===Bargaining with Wolves===
Clan Council Hall
Ghienna, Wolf Empire
11th June, 3144
Alaric had studied the reports enough that he saw the resemblance to the other Envoy right away.
“Your boldness has earned you this audience. Tell me what Helena Cameron wants from us.”, Alaric commanded
“Earth and water.” Peregrine answered.
“Hahahaha. It has been too long since someone has made me laugh like that.” Alaric said.
“It is good to know you’ve been educated on the classics.”, Peregrine told the Khan.
“But seriously, my time is limited. Helena is smart enough to know I will never be her subject or go against my destiny.”
“Peace and a list of Mongols that we wish to face justice for their actions.”
“Not unexpected. What does she offer in return?” he asked.
“We have identified a genetic defect in the Falcon trueborns. It causes undue aggression and psychopathy, even by Clan standards. We have a cure.”
“That will buy her and the Republic a year and none of my warriors.” Alaric commented.
“What if she officially recognizes the Wolf Empire as a legitimate sovereign power?”, envoy asked.
“Meaningless for we already are. We are already reaping the benefits of Lyran neglect and corruption by bringing prosperity and stability. Surely you know we will not stop doing so.”
“Just a year?” asked Peregrine
“Aff. I aim to end the age of corrupt nobles, correct the failure that is the Republic, and bring about a Star League that cannot be torn asunder by the Traitor Lords.”
“So it shall be then. One year the Wolf Empire, Clan Wolf, and any forces under the control of either entity shall not engage in offensive military operations against the Lyran Commonwealth, Republic Remnant, Republic of the Sphere, or the Terran Hegemony in Exile.”
“Aff.” Alaric agreed.
“Oh and if you get any ideas about splitting off forces into a new political entity to get around this we’ll still hold you accountable.” 
“Perish the thought.” Alaric commented.
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An hour after the Envoy departs
“My Khan, we cannot be idle that long.” Ramiel "Warbear" Bekker warned.
“Nor will we. We shall continue to go where we are welcomed and gobble up long neglected worlds. That is not offensive military action, but to keep our troops sharp and ready for our eventual thrust.” Alaric pointed to the region around Dieron.
“I see. It would indeed make an excellent forward position. Heavily industrialized and populated.” Warbear nodded.
“It will make an enemy of the Combine, but with their war against the Davions they cannot risk sending a strong enough counter to root us out. Especially, if we send our own diplomatic mission to the Ghost Bears. With a little help from the Watch it should not be too difficult to stir up their anti-Combine sentiments. Ready the Mongol clusters. Even with the cure it would do to reduce their numbers while sating their appetites for blood.”
“It will be done, my Khan.” Warbear commented
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