SotU2 Chpt 28

=Chapter 28=
==State of the Union - Book 2==
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New Bastogne, Dieudonne
Silver Hawks Coalition, Free Worlds League
8th December, 3065
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“I take it that matters are going well with Marshal van Creveld?”
Colonel Reissing set down his tea cup, apparently considering his answer to Isis’ query. “It’s no great challenge to take orders from her, your grace. She was legally in my chain of command previously.” As Isis was not.
“I’m pleased to hear that.” She sipped from her own tea. “I won’t esquire further. Proper spheres of authority are important, after all.”
“I would have to wonder why you’ve invited me then.” He smiled slightly, apparently to ease the question disguised as a statement.
Isis shrugged lightly. “One of my remits is interacting with the Word of Blake, rather important if we’re to maintain HPG communications through the expanded Silver Hawks Coalition, after all. It’s not as if we can invite ComStar back in.”
Well, they could. But that would very possibly bring the entire Word of Blake out against the fledgling coalition and there was surprisingly - in fact, worryingly - little information about the true extent of their strength. Given they’d managed to siphon off a distressingly large amount of money and equipment from the Free Worlds League, they could have quite a lot. Not to mention their control of Terra and who knew how much industry there.
“I don’t think that that would be a great idea.” Reissing advised mildly.
“As our resident expert on the Word of Blake, I’m glad that you agree with me.”
The colonel’s hand brushed the cup, setting the crockery off-center. “I… beg your pardon?”
“I’m not accusing you of anything improper, Lloyd.”
He stiffened as the use of his first name implied not intimacy but knowledge.
“The Word of Blake is not only an organization,” she continued. “the word is a doctrine, and one that goes a little beyond quasi-religious. Some within the ranks of the organization believe more strongly than others, which is only human nature. And some who believe in its ideals happen not to be formal members of that organization. And there’s nothing wrong with that, since we do endorse religious freedoms in the League. And in the Silver Hawks Coalition, of course.”
“That… does not mean that it could not be problematic, given the Word of Blake’s ties to Corinne Marik.” he pointed out. “There are some who would say that a Blakist must be assumed to partisanship of her, which would be at odds with the neutrality that you’re trying to foster.”
Isis watched him, waited. When he seemed about to speak further, she held up her hand. “The Word of Blake has many factions,” she pointed out. “these factions are quite capable of following distinct policies even in pursuit of what appear to be the same goals. Much more so when it comes to the points of doctrine where they differ.”
“That… may be so.”
“I am told that my biological father is part of the Toyama faction,” Isis continued, eyeing Reissing’s face. “since uncle Paul is close to him, I assume that both he and Corinne are similarly tied to them. I have been reading such material as I can on their position. I can’t say that I find myself in sympathy with all of their beliefs, particularly that their expectation that the Successor States will shatter as a prelude to a reconstruction under their leadership. In fact, I do have to wonder - given how inept Corinne’s seizure of power was on Atreus, were we all allowed to make our escape specifically to ensure a prolonged factionalization?”
Reissing’s eyes went wide. “Your grace, I’m not in a position to know anything about the working of the Toyamaists.”
“But you are aware of the internal factions and their broad positions?” she asked incisively.
The colonel hesitated and then lowered his head. “Yes…”
Got him! Isis thought. “Then do you disagree that the current situation of six or seven major factions and many other worlds not yet committed, is in line with their beliefs?”
“I am…” He paused. “Caught in more negatives than I’m grammatically comfortable with.” He lifted his tea cup again, back on balance or pretending to be. “It fits their expectations, but I can’t honestly say that I know if they engineered it or simply celebrate it.”
“And your own position?”
“I would consider myself a moderate.” Reissing admitted. “Under the general umbrella of the faction known as the Counter-Reformists. Our broad consensus is that the civil war does nothing to further our goals of presenting a viable alternative to ComStar’s current policies. Please don’t be too quick to assume that a quick summary of one faction of the Word of Blake represents everyone under that banner. There are many smaller factions, inside and outside of the more widely known groups. As the leadership council represents the four largest groups, others side with them to make their voices heard.”
Isis’ eyes narrowed. “The Precentor Martial and the leaders of… the Toyamaists and the Counter-Reformists, I assume? Who else?”
“The True Believers and the Shunners were the other two major groups. I believe you’re quite familiar with Precentor Blane?”
“I am.” Isis told him
He nodded. “His True Believers have generally held a middle ground, binding the Word of Blake together. However, in this case he hasn’t been able to lead the other factions to his preferred goal of reinstating your… well, the sitting Captain-General.”
“I believe he’s started styling himself Thomas Halas.” Isis advised drily. “Which at least should make it easier for people to know what to call him. A useful quality in a leader.”
“Indeed.” General agreed
“And the Shunners?” she asked
Reissing shrugged. “The Shunners believe that we’d be best withdrawing back to the Terran star system and letting the rest of the Inner Sphere go hang. For obvious reasons, you won’t find many of them here in the Free Worlds League. Perhaps not any. However, their leadership suffered an accident when they withdrew back there and their influence has been declining.”
Isis nodded her head. “Which way does the Precentor Martial lean, do you know?” Since he had a vote regardless of his faction, if he had a preference then that would automatically double the influence of that… viewpoint?
“Precentor Martial St Jamais is a Toyamist. He led the faction until he was appointed.”
“Troubling, if they are indeed behind the Civil War.”
Reissing spread his hands helplessly. “I don’t know. Could I ask where you’re going with this, your grace?”
“At the end of the day, I can’t avoid the Word of Blake meddling in the League’s affairs. To be fair, with their presence on Gibson alone it would be hard to say that they don’t have a vested interest. If a significant majority of the leading council were to decide to move against the Silver Hawks or against my aunt’s Tamarind-led protectorate, for that matter - then they could simply interdict us and we’d be in a very bad position. They have the warships that have been interned, not to mention their own fleet.”
“I have no reason to believe that that would happen, Your Grace. If it did, I would not be able to support them.” Reissing placed one hand over his heart. “I know you’re not naive enough to believe that you have my undying loyalty, but my regiment believes in you and I won’t abandon them.”
“Unfortunately, I must assume from what you’re saying that there may be a faction within the Toyama… a sect, shall we call them? A sect who would favor accelerating the civil war and who would feel that factions remaining neutral should be encouraged to participate.” Isis advised him. “And this sect may have two votes out of the five. That isn’t a certain threat but it is a possibility that it’s my responsibility to address.”
“I think that you’re taking too much alarm.” he said slowly, “But in fairness, that is your duty. What can I do to help you find a satisfactory reassurance?”
Isis took a deep breath. “I need to cultivate favorable voices within the Word of Blake. You’ve outlined the major factions, but most seem as if they would have little interest in the wellbeing of my Coalition, except maybe your Counter-Reformists?”
Reissing shook his head. “The Counter-Reformists try not to become partisan. They would want favorable relations but not at the risk of alienating the next Captain-General, whoever that was.”
So, they’re a reed in the wind. Damn! She thought
“Maybe…” The colonel frowned. “I mentioned that the Shunner’s influence is fading. There was some discussion that their seat might be replaced with that of another group.” He made a face. “Because I’m not actually a member of the Word of Blake, I’m not really current on the politics. This may have already happened. But the most likely candidates for this would be the Expatriates.”
Isis thought for a moment and then shook her head. “I haven’t heard of them,” she admitted. “Please explain.”
“The Expatriates were originally a group within ComStar who hoped they could moderate the secularism of the organization despite the death of Primus Waterly.” Reissing paused and then somewhat reluctantly added: “Who was clearly going too far, even if Focht and Mori’s reforms were an overreaction. But they functioned as a loyal opposition, if you will. Championing the values of the original order. However, since the Word resumed control over Terra there’s been increasing internal suspicion of Blakist sympathies within ComStar and quite a number were finding themselves made unwelcome. When Victor Steiner-Davion became the Precentor Martial in 3061 it was the last straw and thousands of adepts and acolytes left ComStar to rejoin their brethren in the Word of Blake.”
“And thus, Expatriates.”
Reissing nodded. “From those I’ve spoken to, they have strong concerns about the increasing power of House Steiner-Davion, and they were concerned that between Victor and Katherine, the new Star League would end up being subverted. That isn’t what’s happened, thankfully, but I think they would be very wary of the possibility of the Federated Commonwealth expanding into a weakened Free Worlds League. If you want allies to help you secure the Coalition against outside threats, then the Expatriate faction may be your best bet.”
“In which case,” Isis said slowly, “I should probably talk to them and see if we do have some common ground. I realize that you’re not formally part of the group but perhaps you would have some names with which I could begin inquiries? Precentors who might be able to put me in touch with their leadership?”
The colonel hesitated once more, likely realizing that he was making one more step towards breaching faith with his co-religionists. But then he pulled out a note-pad and began writing notes.
I’d feel more sorry for him, Isis thought, if so many other soldiers weren’t also having to wrestle with divided loyalties. Sometimes at gunpoint, if their comrades choose differently from them.
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