WoWS3 Chpt 21

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==Weapons of War Saga: The Final March- Chapter 21 - ==
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===Preparing for dangerous days ahead===
SLDF Army HQ
New Lazarus
20th October, 3143
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Harold Thurston Howel the Fifth walked into his superior’s office and silently laid a thick folder full of papers on the Advisor’s desk.
“What’s this, Harry?” Pestilence asked
“Something I have been thinking about. Thanks to our successes we’re getting a fair bit of support from the fence sitters finally taking sides and the independent systems that now have hope. But with that means our location is becoming less and less secret. So this is my proposal for a new Royal Black Watch Regiment dedicated to the protection of Helena Cameron and the Royal line when present.”
“Not bad, Harry. All humans, no AI?” she questioned.
“Call me old fashioned, but I respect a living person’s ability to improvise on the spot a lot more than a machine’s and they aren’t degraded by transmission delays or signal jamming. No offense to the AIs.”
“A little sparse on senior staff recommendations.”, she commented
“I wanted to see how things panned out with the Alphecca operation so we don’t spread our experienced leadership too thin.” Harold explained.
“Well that settles it. I’m giving you Third Division. I need to see you in the field with your own command before I give you something like this, which with the amount of work you’ve put into this I want to. So congratulations, Lieutenant General. I’m giving you a shot at the big leagues again.” she informed him.
“Do we have a target?” newly minted Lieutenant General asked
“If all goes well, you’ll be hitting the last pocket of substantial troops in the salient Helena has created.”
“I will see to my troops.”, Harold informed her.
“Good man, Harry. Makes me happy to see how far you’ve come since we first met. Dismissed.”
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===Hidden Assistance===
Pinto (Hazard) Class Corvette, SLS Seahorse
Nadir plus 20 AU - Alphecca system
Republic of Sphere
21th October, 3143
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Commander William Robert Mahan was working with their sistership, Dragonfish doing deep patrols and seeding early warning satellites just in case the Clans attempted to do something clever with their invasion forces.
Even if they only used old fashioned radio the satellites would give them more advanced warning than the alternatives. So it was what they were using.
He’d lost some Star League Dollars over the reaction of the Republic Governor. He’d expected them to be far too paranoid to accept the outside help.
Turns out he was half right. They were until Stacey arranged the delivery of a 124th Falcon Striker Cluster Omnimech captured at Skye. Between that and a Lola showing up pretty much opened that door.
No one knew for sure exactly when the Falcons would come but there was enough chatter being picked up that they knew the Falcons were coming.
===Chingis Khan's marching orders===
Aegis Class Heavy Cruiser, CJFS Red Talon
Sudeten System, Jump Point
Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
21th October, 3143
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In CIC...
“Our operational plan is such. Two clusters each to the worlds of Hesperus, Galatea, and Alphecca. I will personally lead my Keshik reinforced by the 12th Falcon Hussars and we will take Hesperus II with further aid provided by our Hell’s Horses allies. Meanwhile, Ryan Pryde I shall entrust Turkina Keshik to you and place 1st Mixed Cluster under your command as well. Your target world shall be Galatea. Alphecca shall be yours to conquer, Lawrence Roshak and you shall be reinforced by the 3rd Falcon Velites.” Malvina Hazen briefed.
Beckett Malthus wanted to object. Not because as saKhan that Turkina Keshik should be his by right to command, no he was fine allowing that honor to Ryan Pryde. Let the executioner’s ax land on his head.
Which is what he really wanted to point out.
The enemy was hitting their shipping in the area. With the elimination of an entire Cluster in the area there was little to hold up against any possible counter attacks.
So if even one of these worlds managed to hold, even for a while, it would expose them to the Lyrans.
Malvina was clearly mad and desperate. Dissatisfaction was growing in the touman, the Horses were even starting to balk at her extreme measures.
So really this was his opportunity. Let Malvina think she has sidelined him.
It would give him the perfect opportunity to rid the Clan of the bloodfoul once and for all.
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===Baiting the Trap===
Throne Room
Tharkad, Lyran Commonwealth
24th November, 3143
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Trillian Steiner-Davion studied the report from Loki agent.
“You’re certain?”
“Yes, Archon.”
“I want this information to find its way to Alaric. He has an obsession with Malvina. So we can use that to pit our foes against each other.”
“Highness?”
“Bait, General. The Lighthorse is on world as garrison is it not? See what you can supplement them with. But our forces, including the militia, their orders will be to only provide token resistance then withdraw. Let the mercenaries keep the Falcons pinned in place until the Wolves deal with our problem for us. Then spring the trap.” Trillian laid out her plan.
“It shall be done.”
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===Dating Prospects of Spacer Girls===
Council Chambers
Gienah, Wolf Empire
1st December, 3143
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“My cousin is being predictable. But it does present an opportunity. Malvina’s madness and the arrival of these new foes that call themselves the Star League in Exile have her Clan teetering on implosion, especially after so many humiliating defeats. So we shall go to Hesperus. We shall fight the Falcons, but we will claim them to add their strength to our own. Our enemy has shown they have a navy and know how to use it. Their army is still clumsy and inexperienced, but with a strong navy that will quickly change as they dictate when and where they shall strike.” Alaric Ward told Council.
“Could it really be that simple?” someone asked
“Aff. If we defeat Malvina much of her Clan will eagerly join us. They will have little choice if they wish to retain what little honor they have left. If we at least obtain their remaining Warships that shall be all we need to have a chance.” Alaric nodded.
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===Responding to the Falcon's actions===
SLDF in Exile HQ
New Lazarus
24th December, 3143
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The Jade Aerie had showed up with the transports for Alphecca. A Warship was not unexpected as escort, but a Black Lion was unwelcome indeed.
So troops had managed to make it to ground on the 10th. Fighting was still going on at last report, but Director-General Helena Cameron knew 1st Destroyer Division would have those orbitals cleared soon enough. She did not look forward to the damage/loss reports there thought.
What had been unexpected is that one of the units anticipated to strike there has instead made for Galatea and was escorted by the Turkina’s Pride. She cut orders for Second Destroyer Division as soon as she could and thankfully enough of 1st Mechanized Division was still on Skye that she could order some of their forces to help relieve Redburn as the reports had him fighting there since the 17th.
Which made Helena stare at the map. This was a message. Malvina was clearly trying to present the image that she was still in control and dangerous.
The latter was certainly true. Like a wounded, mad animal she was lashing out.
It was clearly meant to be a synchronized attack, but something felt off.
As Helena contemplated it she prayed for Lori’s safe arrival to Tharkad. In a way she was surprised she got Alice and Amanda’s friends to agree so easily to seeing to the safety of her daughter after the way things had transpired.
“That’s what happens when you give good people a good job that they are happy to do.” Olivia walked into the room with a tray of food.
“I guess I’m just being maternal and a bit mortal I guess.”
“Understandable.”
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