TEP Chpt 6

=The Eagle's Perch=
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==Chapter 6 - Growth==
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===Discussion of Budgets and Troop Movement===
Atreus, Marik Commonwealth
2730 AD
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Bertram Marik
Mother.
 
I'm sorry.
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A pleasant summer wind blew across Capitol Hill. Ionia island was in the midst of summer, and Atreus City was wreathed green in the glory of life. Full hearted oak, and strong towering Ciapolo lined the roads and parks. Upon every tree, small triangular flags of every color ever known to man hung on clotheslines. They stretched every which way without thought or reason. 
 
Off the streets in the restaurants and shops, lobbyists and lawyers sat cheek by jowl, attended to by many colored, and finely dressed caterers. Splendid meals made from imported choice meats and artisanal vegetables.
 
Just the pure enjoyment of life in the act, nothing less.
 
Looking down from this regal mountain of white marble and chrome, it was so idyllic. I could hardly imagine there was a war, let alone a civil war. Yet, as I turned around from the balcony, passed the transom windowed doors, I could feel the cold touch of war within Parliament's neo-Gothic halls.
 
This war had only entered its first year, and already I felt the weight of eternity. The last attack into Oriente had sputtered to a halt. What was supposed to be a terrific blow became a quagmire. Kyeinnisan was nothing more than a gambling world, it would fall at the lightest push. That was the assumption. It was a tempting target, a grav port, a charging station, immensely valuable cities, Boris' personal friend, and one of the few Federal Fleets the rebellion had, were there. It would be easy, we had promised.
 
What a mistake.
 
Now the war spinward, in the galactic east, had ground to a halt. The enemy fleets escaped to fight another day, and the enemy regiments dug in like mildew on a rotting log. The only recourse we had was to push south, rimwards.
 
"Sir, I still advise against this." spoke the head of the Ministry of Intelligence.
 
"You have already stated your piece, Jefferies. Anymore would be defeatism," I admonished. I could tell by his face that this wasn't over. By the way his brow furrowed and slight frown, I knew he took my insistence as a challenge. "The anti-spinward is of no consequence for the current state of affairs. The minor provinces are of no concern for the mighty, the Captain-General has ensured that—"
 
"Even with more of them declaring for the usurper?" He interrupted, folding his arms over his gray-white suit.
 
I gave him a cold look. "Even so." His mollified look was enough. I pushed past him, walking deeper for the west wing. In the council room, past the double Cascadian wood doors, sat the rest of the ministers involved with the war: the head of SAFE and the minister of defense. 
 
Parliament had been empty as of late. Since its dissolution by Mother, the only souls within were the trusted ministers, and loyal soldiers. Even then, sometimes Elise would ask for the soldiers to be 'reeducated' in their duties. Before she left for Regulus, she had been doing that more and more.
 
I took my seat at the head of the table and began the meeting. "Thank you all for coming. I know this is a difficult time, so let me express first, that this is worth it. Our actions are for the benefit of the League as a whole, and we will be judged accordingly. We will see that day, satisfied." There were no replies or actions beyond the grim faced countenance of my most trusted. Nodding, I continued. "Let us begin with SAFE."
 
"The Captain-General has lased back that she does not trust the Regulans. She will be there for the foreseeable future," Ezekiel started. Another group on Elise's list. "It will keep the lines of communication short, and the province's loyalty assured."
 
Charles' eyes were bagged black from the late nights overworking. He took a sip of black coffee before continuing.
 
"Per previous policy, several of the minor provinces will no longer be a concern in the future. Those that are not loyal are at the very least tearing themselves apart. Additionally, With the completion of Project Romulus, only Prometheus is left ongoing. It will soon be ready for your command. That is all."
 
I pray it never comes to that point. But, realpolitik requires it. "Thank you, Charles. Herod?"
 
The bald man's stiff mustache twitched just a bit when he returned to attention. The equally late nights managing his ministry's part in the war effort had made him distractible. "The majority of the Marik Militia has pulled out almost entirely from the anti-spinward. The few stragglers are the result of the low level instability of the area. However, they will be ready for the push Rimward." Good enough. The smaller provinces were always the target of mother's and now Elise's special attention. "The Marik Guard has requested that the Atrean Dragoons send some of their number to the capital. I went ahead and had it done."
 
"Well done, Herod," I congratulated. I had to give that extra bit of attention and approval. It was becoming harder and harder to encourage others to work for the better of the League on their own initiative. Were I in control, this wouldn't have been a problem. Vigilance would not have become a toxin.
 
Herod gave a flat smile at my thanks and proceeded with his report. "The ministry also has some good news. Despite the near parity in BattleMechs, our ASF superiority has been an unexpected advantage against our enemies. It has tipped some battles in our favor, especially in the rimward provinces. Because of them, we have a near straight shot to Andurien." That was unexpectedly good news. "It is the ministry's recommendation that as soon as the war is over, we increase our budgets slated for the ASF branch."
 
Despite his neutral expression, it was obvious what he was attempting. More funding for the ASF naturally requires more funding for the Army. It's not as if anyone would willingly decrease the BattleMech budget. He took my silence for what it was, and ended his report.
 
The final man, ever the contrarian, was Jefferies. Frustrating as he was, he was exactly what I wanted from my subordinates. Loyal and unafraid to speak his mind were his defining qualities. Rare under mother's administration. Rarer now.
 
"With the death of Oliver, Boris is now our enemy," he contended. It was hard to accept someone so close to me becoming my enemy. "That means, despite the confidence of SAFE, the MoI is not nearly as trusting of the minor provinces."
 
The Ministry of Intelligence has a complicated relationship with SAFE. Technically, they're the clearing house for all the intelligence organs of the state. SAFE answers to them. SAFE also answers to the Captain-General, following their directives on what is and isn't permissible for others to know.
 
That was the reason why SAFE was here, representing themselves. SAFE was mother's intelligence organ. The MoI is mine.
 
"That said, we don't have the resources to do anything about it. The necessities of war have stretched us thin," Jefferies resumed. "Atreus is dangerously lightly defended, compared to the past. I request the Marik Guard send some companies over to garrison at the DropPort. The most likely threat here are assassins and spies. The DropPort however, must deal with a potential invasion."
 
"Not happening!" Shouted Herod. "The defense of the Capitol is paramount. We cannot allow our defenses here to be stripped." He slapped the table as he stated the last.
 
It was here that I needed to interject. "No, Herod. He's right."
 
Surprised, he turned to me. "Sir?""Jefferies is right. The Capital is secure enough against an invading force. The First Fleet lies in orbit, nothing will get through short of a genuine thrust," I concluded. "And, should that happen, we need the DropPort guarded to slow down an enemy invasion. We would fall quickly without it."
 
My arguments convinced him, unhappy as he was. "Yes, sir," he agreed reluctantly. That was good.
 
A short meeting all told. The absence of the other ministries was truly felt.
 
"Is that all?" At their nods, I concluded the meeting. "Thank you for your time. I'll see all of us tomorrow to conclude the wartime budget."
 
I left Parliament, returning to Ionia's resplendence. Not realizing how true Jefferies' words were.
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===No Where is Safe===
SHOCKING BERTRAM WOUNDED IN TERRORIST ATTACK
Parliament was hit with a bomb attack last night, injuring several, including the Captain-General's son, Bertram Marik. This attack followed a day after the meeting of the war cabinet involving Bertram Marik and the ministries of defense, intelligence, and the head of SAFE.
 
Nothing is known about how the attack occurred or how the perpetrators infiltrated the building. What is known is that a group calling themselves 'The Children of Liberty' claim responsibility for the attack. It is presumed by authorities the attack was ideologically motivated based on their name.
 
No reason is given as to why a group adhering to an ancient ideology would suddenly turn violent, or how they have members in the first place. With so many unknowns and such a shocking introduction, could this be a spiritual successor to the Scourge of Death?
 
The injured Marik has been taken away to a secret hospital. It is expected that it will take months for him to return to his duties.
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