WoWS3 Chpt 20

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==Weapons of War Saga: The Final March- Chapter 20 - ==
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===Restructuring in preparations for the next campaign===
20th September, 3143
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"Alphecca." Pestilence brought up the planetary data. “52 day standard transit time from Zenith/Nadir to the primary. Makes it one of the more defensible systems in the old Federation of Skye region, and we’re going to help defend it."
“Oh this should be fun.” Colonel Brody Atwell noted.
"My recommendation for this mission is 2nd Division and one of the independent regiments from I corps, the planet's an ag world with light urban settlement, which means a spread out population, which in turn means?"
Skye had been a major boon in other ways. It led to an upswell of military hardware, captured and produced finding its way to Helena via the Belters in the region outside the Fortress. Then there were the volunteers. It allowed Helena’s SLDF to expand to two divisions well ahead of projections. Properly vetting people fast enough and checking over the hardware were the main limiters on her even expanding to a third already.
"The garrisons will be spread out, less able to coordinate and consolidate."
"Bingo. We're going to need the independent regiment of LAMs just to act as couriers and counter-recon. This isn't going to be settled in a single fight unless we're very lucky."
"Thus why you're recommending the Second Division."
"Most of the import officers are from units that did small-unit operations, most of the equipment is focused on mobility and maneuver warfare, instead of the kind of grinding slaughterhouse we ran before. This run's going to be lots of little engagements across a wide front."
"How do you know that?" Chase Atwell asked.
"Because that's how I'd do it." she stated, "Ag worlds have lots of area, so either you invest heavily in a dense public transport net, or you garrison in small batches across it just to maintain order and defense-based on the Falcon's fighting style, they are going to try and work that advantage. Even with the tech gap narrowed it is their strong suit."
“And because it is an ag world primarily and friendly we need to be more considerate guests.” Brody nodded.
Pestilence nodded, "Indeed. Scalpels, ladies and gentlemen, not sledgehammers this time. We leave the sledgehammer job to the Naval Fleet to deal with their orbital and trans-orbital elements and cover our asses when we ground."
“So who gets Second Division’s top spot?” Chase asked.
She crossed her ankles as she sat on the desk, "First one to present three alternative battle plans including shit-goes-wrong contingencies. You've each got seventy two hours to confer with your staff and bring your plans for vetting."
Most of the gathered Colonels from First division scurried off to their offices.
"I'm curious how you're going to judge this, Ma'am." Lt. Colonel Wheatley asked.
"How do you think?" she asked.
"I don't know, honestly." he denied, "I do know you already HAVE your plan…but her Majesty said you have to stay here this time."
“We are expanding the army. New roles for many of our officers are now going to happen.” Harold Thurston Howel the Fifth spoke up. “So we need people to start plugging gaps.”
"Permission to speak freely, Sir, Ma'am?" Wheatley asked.
"Granted."
"You don't know they're going to distribute in penny-packets just because it's the best option." he said. "Psychology says the Falcons would be…unhappy trying that."
She cocked an eyebrow. "And you say?"
"We should look at what we know about the units they sent there, and plan to fight the units, not just some…average?...optimal…strategy? Ma'am?"
She looked at Harry Howel. "Does he pass?"
"I think so, Ma'am."
"Wheatley, you have seventy-two hours to work up YOUR idea, and put together a command staff for a theoretical Regiment. Now get scootin', you're dismissed." she told him.
“That one has promise. He was smart enough to stick around and ask more questions. It is between him and the older Atwell brother who I consider the best candidates. We’ll have plenty of other able officers from the others no doubt.” Harold smiled.
"It's half the job-figuring out WHO to send." she agreed. "I have to break the bad news to Foster-he's going to have to vet these plans with what the Fleet can actually do in that system."
“A realm I am not ashamed to admit I know too little about.”
“You’re not so bad at this, Harry. Maybe study up a little and who knows you could get that second crack at the Clans you say you’re after.”
He smiled, "I'll hold you to that, Ma'am."
“Well Lieutenant-General, I’m off to get lunch. Don’t forget to take a break to eat yourself, okay?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
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===Never ask what can go wrong===
Star League in Exile - David Foster’s office
New Lazarus
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“At least it has a moon. If only we had the LFBs for this sort of warfare.” Foster grumbled.
Tabiranth was in his office with him. "So, what do we know about what they are sending?" the AI officer asked.
"Not enough.”
“So we’re going to have to deploy a net of corvettes deep beyond detection range in every Falcon system we can.”
'Yes." he nodded, then frowned, "You know what would have been perfect for this?"
"What?"
"My old ship." he said, "Fewer guns, but it was a better recon platform than a Pinto…even if the Bonaventure upgrades were still weak-sauce…"
“Yes, but we make do with the Pintos since we can replace those if need be. I doubt the Ravens would be willing to supply us Bonnies with their borders becoming more active as of late.”
"Truth." he nodded, "My deployment recommendations for First Corvette Squadron."
“Working in pairs eh? Acceptable and this should allow us to rotate in Second Corvette Squadron as needed. This is almost getting to be old hat for us.”
"Never ask what can go wrong, because it will." Foster said with a chuckle, "Never even IMPLY that, okay?"
“True.”
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===Permission Denied===
Briefing Room
Kolossus Station, Near Outworlds Wastes - Periphery
21th September, 3143
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"Melissa Steiner is dead." Primary said, "Which opens an opportunity."
Kolossus listened. "What opportunity?"
"Her cousin Trillian sits the throne, right? so…Trillian's a fighter, not an administrator, which is good, considering how much of her realm is currently occupied by the Jade Falcons, but it opens an opportunity…for Helena, though she doesn't see it. That opportunity does not exist with the other semi-legitimate claimant to the Lyran throne."
"Alaric."
"Bingo. Brewer's Coup set the stage for Melissa's death in more ways than one-he bled the Commonwealth hard, while being completely ineffectual, and disrupted what remained of the Lyrans civil services."
"That does not sound like an opportunity." the AI mused.
"Human interaction. Trillian badly needs allies if she's to have a realm, and not a collection of balkanized states ruled by petty warlords…but she is a soldier, not a statesman."
"This is what you've been resting for?"
"We need a voice in Trillian's ear, one that gives her good advice, like choosing to support Helena's claim as First Lord of a renewed Star League."
"No." Kolossus told her, "You will not…make a new one." Kolossus told her, "Your 'recovery periods' have grown longer, more taxing, it has damaged your physical health, and may damage your mental health permanently. I will not permit it."
"It's my choice." she told Kolossus
"I have found the limit where your consent is no longer a factor." Kolossus stated. "I will not help you destroy yourself, Amanda. I refuse to cooperate in that, find another way."
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===Dating Prospects of Spacer Girls===
M5.3C Class Casper Drone Destroyer, SLS Billy Hoel
Uninhabited system, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
22nd September, 3143
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“Feels empty for a Destroyer.” Lori Cameron said from the comms station.
“The writing is on the wall. So most everyone is staying behind for the conflict that is about to start, and with conflict comes opportunists. So they’re going to be quite busy.” Amanda Yeh said from the command couch.
“Lucky for us going without a full crew isn’t an issue.” Elspeth spoke up.
“Yeah. I know I never served and this isn’t my life but this voyage would be completely boring without something to do.” Lori was reading a training manual.
“I still appreciate someone running a system I don’t have to. Means I can put a little more effort into other things.” Alice said from her remote.
“Since it’s just us girls in the CIC gossip time.” Amanda demanded. “Any truth to you and Christian dating?”
“No. He has his reputation, but really is looking for something different when it comes to a serious long term relationship.” Lori answered. “I hear right Elspeth that you dated an AI?”
“Tiny was fun. I got to let myself do a lot of things a lot faster in a relationship with him than I have ever been able to do with a human. But long distance with no HPGs is hard enough then when I chose to volunteer for this over sticking around Port Orphan, well I guess it depends on if he meets a nice girl.”
“Giving up?” Lori pried.
“Maybe if we had the HPGs we could at least make a go of a long distance relationship. But since we don’t it is not fair of me to demand he put his romantic life on hold by waiting for me.” Elspeth answered.
“What about you, Amanda?” Alice asked innocently.
“Nothing to tell. I will date, I just want to make sure the guy is right for me first.”
“Translation, her standards are too high and she’s still refusing to acknowledge that part of dating is the process of finding out if the guy is the right one or not.” Elspeth chuckled lightly.
“What about you, Alice?”
“I did finally kiss a boy. A nice young fighter pilot named Dalton Smith flying off Ephemeral. It was weird, awkward, and he trembled the whole time. I’m not sure what was wrong.”
“Your remote, Alice. It has an appearance that makes most guys really uncomfortable, even if they know how old you actually are.” Amanda offered.
“Concur. If you really want to try dating you’ll need to make some adjustments.” Elspeth added.
“What do you say, Maximus?” Alice looked at her robot dog companion.
“BARK!” The sound was clearly artificial and hurt the ears of the humans slightly.
“Really? Huh, but I like how cute I look. But you answered honestly. So a reward.” Alice giggled as she reached out to perform the electronic equivalent of an ear scratch.
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===Needing the Intel===
Fort Lynnwood
New Lazarus
25th September, 3143
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"Okay, we'll go over it again." Pestilence's command center was a bustle and hive of activity. "Do we have those updated maps? Williams, has your department finished parsing those geo-surveys? Conners, you're late on the economic data, we need to know where the key assets are assembled!"
Defense prep. Mounted on the doors of the Headquarters was a simple bronze plaque.
"Proper prior preparation prevents piss poor performance."
"Intel?", she asked.
"High confidence that it will be the Turkina Keshik commanded by Ryan Pryde, 10th Falcon Talon led by Lawrence Roshak, and 12th Falcon Talon Cluster led by Janet Horn, Ma'am."
"What do we know about their careers and mentalities? What do they have for breakfast, and how often do they eat it? Do they sleep on their back or the side or stomach, do they like boys or girls?" she snapped, "FIND OUT!" she snapped with a dismissal gesture, "I want to know if they stubbed any toes this morning!!"
"Yes, Ma'am!"
Alphecca wasn't even a practice for the big target this time, but it would be the 'season opener' and Pestilence was damned if she wouldn't make it a grand slam.
You do the small jobs right, and the big jobs fall in line.
On displays, the readiness reports for an entire division were being examined with secondary reports from inspection teams confirming everything from VD cases to individual round counts.
The staff work would continue until it was time to go, and then, it would continue until things were done, and then it would press on in the aftermath.
The mission won't be ready until the paperwork outweighs the transport ships…
Of course the irony was that a lot of the information that she wanted just was not accessible, at least not the way she wanted.
The observation ships were still on their way there. Transit times were becoming a bitch.
Fighting a war under these conditions was proving to be a real headache.
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===Welcomed Surprise===
Star League in Exile - Helena’s office
New Lazarus
18th October, 3143
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“Alice. It has been entirely too long. Boy am I glad I let Olivia talk me into keeping some time free today.”
“It has indeed been too long.”, Alice agreed
“Not that I’m ungrateful for the visit, but what brings you all the way to New Lazarus? Last I heard you were exploring uncharted systems.”
“I was, but I also wanted to see more of the Inner Sphere. Where there are actual people. Fate conspired to make that possible, because I’m not the only one who decided to come see you.”
As soon as Lori came into the office Helena dropped the papers she was holding and vaulted straight over her desk, nearly tackling her daughter in a hug.
“What are you doing here?” Helena nearly cried.
“Mutual friends said you needed some family time again.” Lori answered.
“Olivia?”
“Your calendar was a work of fiction past this point already in an effort to maintain the surprise.” Olivia answered.
“How am I supposed to repay you all for this wonderful surprise?” Helena released her hug enough to take in the sight of her daughter.
“No repayment necessary.” Olivia stated flatly.
“Seeing this was everything I needed in return.” Alice smiled.
“You naughty AIs. Thank you.” Helena smiled.
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===Casual conversation with the Director-General===
Dining area - Helena’s Private residence
New Lazarus
19th October, 3143
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Amanda Yeh M5 7775551 was not used to such a formal setting.
It was clear the same was true for George, Nick, Elspeth, Ardis, and Alison.
“I wanted to thank you all personally for doing what you did. You brought my daughter to me safely from a great distance away.”
“It was no difficulty or challenge Director-General.” Amanda tried to be humble.
“Space travel may be routine but that does not mean it is without peril, but you all can relax. I am just offering a nice meal. No medals, promotions , or landholds.” Helena stifled a laugh when her guests did finally visibly relax.
Lori entered the room last.
“Sorry. Got carried away with the first real bath I’ve had in months.” Lori apologized as she sat.
Stewards brought out the meal.
“How are your Moms, Amanda?” Helena asked.
“They’re as well as can be expected.” Amanda’s tone betrayed her lingering resentment.
“Trouble?” Helena probed.
“They kept the identity of my father from me. It’s been hard getting over that. I’m working on it.”
“Kolossus.”
“Yes”
“Well then I offer this. Your moms are amongst a rather long list of incredible people I have met in my life. Everything I have seen and heard about you indicates you have incredible potential yourself. I have to believe your moms are a large part of that.”
“I know. I’m getting over it slowly but I am getting over it.”
“Good. That is all I can ask.”
“Sorry, I guess I should’ve warned you that mom’s a meddler.” Lori said sheepishly.
“It’s okay. Means she cares and her form of meddling hasn’t been that bad so far.” Amanda shook her head.
“I do try and keep it in check but it seems my maternal instincts are stuck in high gear. I’ll do my best, but don’t be surprised if I start prying into your love lives. Doesn’t help being a mother has been rather rewarding for me and that makes it harder for me to not wish it for the remarkable women that enter my life.” Helena smiled.
“Mom…”
The table got awkwardly quiet all of a sudden.
“Oh my. Relax youngsters. I am also a staunch supporter of personal choice. Of course I think it needs to be coupled with personal responsibility and consequence for it to be meaningful. So don’t worry about me trying to force anyone into anything.” Helena looked around at her guests.
“So what does a Director-General do for fun?” Alison tried changing the subject.
“I am an absolute holovid junkie. Especially for SciFi from the early space flight days of Terra. And I read. A lot.”
Suddenly Helena’s expression changed.
“Mom?”
“Quite a bit of pain in my stomach. Not sure exactly what it is.” Helena managed.
Alison quickly stood up and ran over to Helena.
“How’s it here?” She began to apply pressure to Helena’s abdomen.
“Ow…”
“Bad news, good news. Pretty sure your appendix just burst, but thankfully help is right here.” Alison said.
“Then let’s get you to the medical wing and scrubbed up, Doctor.” Olivia’s remote entered the room.
“Me?” Alison looked shocked.
“Why not?” Olivia asked.
“You’d really trust someone as inexperienced as me with the Director-General?”
“I trust you, Alison.” Helena said.
“We just met.”
“I’m between doctors at the moment so I have to take a leap of faith no matter what and my intuition says you can do it.”
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===No one lives Forever===
A while later in recovery
Helena’s eyes fluttered open and she saw Alison there, not Lori.
“We needed to talk. So I’m keeping your daughter out of the room for now.” Alison adjusted her glasses, “You’re really not immortal are you? I saw all sorts of signs of regrown organs, surgeries, and corrective procedures while I was in there.”
“Yes. Now you know why I have such a hard time accepting a human doctor. No one is really sure why I seem unaging on the outside, but as you saw....well there’s a limit to how many times an organ can be regrown, surgeries be successful, and injuries corrected.”
“Which puts me in a spot. I really should tell your daughter, but I can’t help but get the feeling you don’t want her to know.”
“It’d be easier if I still didn’t look like a damn coed away at college for the first time in her life and trying desperately to convince the barkeep I really am legal drinking age. With the medical tech available, best estimates say I should have a couple decades yet, assuming Simon doesn’t fry out and my imbalanced hormone production doesn’t kill me first. ****** appendix.”
“Then I’ll do for you what should have been done for Saya and Phoenix. Give you the chance to tell your daughter yourself. One. If you don’t tell her, I will.”
“You’re hired.”
“What?”, Alison asked
“If you can stand up to me like that but still give me a gracious way out, I want you as my Doctor.” Helena told her.
“But I’m deployed as part of a crew…” Alison begun.
“Details that can be worked out. Plus the pay and benefits are way better.”
“I really can’t say no can I?” Alison asked meekly.
“Well okay, it is sort of like that but I’m honestly trying to make lemonade here. So I wasn’t lying earlier when I said you have the right combination of steel and compassion to impress me.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to tell my friends…” Alison told her with concern.
“Don’t worry, I’m not soulless. We’ll see what job offers I can extend to them that will keep you all together.”
“I still really don’t get why me though…” Alison said.
“You know how hard it is to find a Doctor that will stand up to the Eternal Princess when it comes to her health? Plus a human touch is preferable. We may have some of the most extensive libraries from the height of the Star League and that lets us accomplish a lot when it comes to caring for Helena but if things start going off the predicted paths, well we start running into questions of transmission delay and what if our signal gets blocked completely? Only Victoria has solved that particular problem but she’s far more valuable out there running our diplomacy and intelligence efforts.” Olivia entered the room with Helena’s lunch.
“How did you know I would though?”
“I read your file, you’re not from here, and I talked to Alice.” Olivia answered.
“You are a really naughty AI.” Helena said as she eyed the tray of food.
“True. I did not give either of you a fair choice in this matter and I’ll understand if I am to be reprimanded as such.” Olivia nodded.
“Alison as the more aggrieved party I am inclined to give you latitude on what Olivia’s punishment should be.”
“That’s a really good question. What can I ask of an AI to make it up to me for her taking away my ability to choose freely?” Alison scrunched her forehead. “But at the same time it was just bad timing that Helena’s appendix burst when it did and that might have allowed a more informed, free choice.”
“Whatever you decide, Alison, I will accept your judgment.” Olivia bowed her head.
“I know. I could use another bridesmaid.” Alison demanded. “If this is going to be my new job with more stability than I anticipated having in my life at this point I’m making Nick an honest man.”
“Good for you.” Helena smiled. “Which gives me an idea for jobs to extend to your friends.”
“Oh?” Alison sat up straighter.
“An oversight on my part really. Something I should make official. I am the First Lord of this Star League in Exile. There is no naval equivalent to the Royal Black Watch.” Helena smiled as she started eating the salad before her.
“That is not playing fair either but wow. I can’t imagine them saying no to that.” Alison whistled.
“Olivia, why don’t you take Alison back to her friends and talk to them about the job offer. Send in Lori so we can have our talk.” Helena nodded.
Olivia and Alison walked out of the room together.
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===Talk between daughter and mother===
Lori came in.
“Hey Mom. That was a little scary there.”
“I know. Which makes what I have to tell you a little harder and unfair, but you’re a big girl now and you deserve to know the truth.”
“You’re not really immortal. I know.” she told her.
“Not just that, but my body is actually reaching a point of failure. With some luck I might make it to 3160, anything beyond that would be a miracle.” Helena said being frank.
“You need to tell the others.”, Lori told her.
“I know and in person.”, she finished her daughter train of thought.
“No wonder you’ve been struggling so much, to the point your friends conspired this meeting. They don’t know do they?” Lori asked.
“I would not put it past the Envoys of Kolossus to have figured it out but I haven’t outright told them and I’m pretty sure on some level my AIs know. They just haven’t really connected the dots because they are ultimately machines and thus unlike humans as long as you have compatible parts they can be kept going forever, if a bit like the ship of Theseus.”
“Then you should use me while I’m here. Don’t get me wrong I’d love to spend as much time with my mother as I can but I look at all you have built here, what you’re starting to accomplish out there. Who and what you’re fighting against. Turns out I care about that too and I want it to last.” Lori told her.
“Lori, you really mean this don’t you?” she asked her daughter.
“Face it, Mom, I’m way too much like you in that regard. Let me help. It’s more important than our selfish desires. But you know who is really going to take it the worst?”
“Sally.”, she answered without thought.
“Yeah, she’s going to want to go on a one woman warpath to finish what you started as quickly as possible. She’s too much like Dad like that.”
“I’d almost feel sorry for the people I have to fight but then the list of them that are not horrible war criminals of some sort is far too depressingly short. Haaow. Laughing hurts.” Helena winced.
“Serves you right. So where would I do the most good?”
“Trillian Steiner-Davion. With the Falcons being our primary foes at this time she’s the next most critical ally we need. We’ve already started isolating a good number of Falcon held worlds. With her help we have a real chance at wiping out a second Clan.” Helena sighed.
“I’ll need a ride.” Lori smiled.
“I imagine there will be quite a few volunteers lined up for that.”, Helena commented.
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