OPREF-3 Chpt 13

=Book 3, Chapter 13 - Stacking the Deck=
==Opalescent Reflections==
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===Turning of the Tides===
Cross-Divide Mountains, Coventry
Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
31 October 3055
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Tanks burned behind Aidan Pryde as his Summoner ran forwards, already bringing his pulse laser and PPC to bear on another Manticore. The two shots peeled open much of the tank's flank, severing the link of tracks under the armor.
The slew as the driver tried to correct threw off the gunner by enough that the tank's gunner missed with his PPC. That was the problem with tanks, in Aidan's experience. Only the very best crews had the cohesion to act like the fingers of a single hand, co-operating perfectly.
 
It was not a problem mechwarriors had to deal with.
 
The Manticore's missiles had some capacity to track, but unlike his own missile launcher, Aidan's anti-missile system wasn't out of ammunition and it chattered away, ripping missiles away from the salvo until only two or three smashed into the Summoner. Nothing to worry about, if he hadn't been taking minor damage like this all day.
 
"Aidan, we cannot go much further." Horse warned.
His old friend fired his jump jets, propelling his Hellbringer up and over tracer fire from a heavier tank with quad-autocannon. It might have been a Partisan, but before Aidan's targeting computer could confirm that, the Hellbringer's PPCs fired down into the top-deck of the tank and found a fuel tank. The heavy tank was consumed in fire and Aidan didn't bother looking further at it.
"I know," he admitted. Two understrength trinaries had already been stripped away to cover cross-valleys in case the AFFC surged out of them to try to encircle the Gyrfalcon Guards, the way they already had Marthe's Second Falcon Jaegers. Ammunition was running low and battle damage was mounting. "The next valley," he conceded. "If we do not make contact then, we will withdraw."
 
"I will hold you to that."
 
Aidan fired into a Bulldog, covering Horse as the Hellbringer cooled from the massive burden on its heatsinks from firing both PPCs while using the jump-jets. His shots ripped open the missile launcher on the right-side of the tank's turret and explosions tore across to the other one. The tank chassis itself kept moving, but armed only with a machine gun it was no real threat and a Kit Fox rushed close, dropping off four Elementals who tore into the tank, cracking open the driver's compartment.
 
Aidan and Horse were moving on with the vanguard, climbing up the slope to where a ridge separated this valley from the next - each gouged at some point by a different limb of the mighty glacier that had once carved its way down through the mountains. Iron ore had been mined out of the sides of the mountains for centuries, but there was more than enough to wreak havoc on magnetic scanners, while mobile and hidden transmitters were sending out waves of jamming that made coordinating between efforts in different valleys a nightmare.
 
A Viper and a Kit Fox moved past them, the low-slung omnimechs poking up over the line of the ridge to check for opposition before anything larger and easier to hit tried that.
The caution paid off as a fusillade of laser fire slashed over and into the ridge, narrowly missing the Kit Fox and slashing across the side of the Viper's cockpit - fortunately not penetrating.
 
"They are friendly!" shouted Mechwarrior Alexander from the Kit Fox.
 
"You call that friendly, quineg?!" the Viper pilot disagreed at the top of his voice.
 
"They are Jade Falcons! We found the Jaegers!"
 
"They shot at us!"
 
"Those two facts are not necessarily contradictory," Aidan pointed out, to shut the pair's argument down. He switched to the proper channel. "Star Colonel Marthe Pryde, do you read me? Does anyone in the Second Falcon Jaegers hear this?"
 
For a moment he thought that there would be no reply, but then his comms suite managed to pick up and decipher a signal from the far side of the ridge. "This is Star Captain Jacob Eagle, Trinary Charlie, Second Falcon Jaegers. Who is this?"
 
"Star Colonel Aidan Pryde," he identified himself. "I believe my Gyrfalcon Guards are just south of your position, someone just shot at my scouts."
 
"The only things south of us right now are Feddie tanks," Eagle replied sharply. "Unless… Star Colonel, tell me where we build our Kit Foxes?!"
 
"Ironhold's Number Nine Industrial Complex," Aidan shot back. Only someone familiar with the Jade Falcon capital world would know that automatically.
 
"Forgive me, Star Colonel," the Star Captain said apologetically. "There has been one attempt to lure us out already."
 
Aidan shook his head. "A reasonable precaution, but what is your situation? We forced our way through but we cannot hold this ground for long. There are too many routes for the FedCom to reinforce through the valleys."
 
Marthe's voice cut into the channel. "Aidan, Jacob just patched me in and I caught most of that. I am making my best speed towards you now. Jacob, link up now with the Gyrfalcon Guards - the rest of us are close behind you."
Pushing his Summoner up, Aidan kept his cockpit just below the crest of the ridge. "Star Captain, I am about to step up into view. If you shoot me, then be sure to get a kill shot. Marthe, we will hold as long as we can for you."
 
Taking a few steps further, he lifted the top of the Summoner up and into view of those in the next valley. Thankfully no one took shots at him, although his sensors warned that the targeting sensors of a half-dozen 'mechs were locking on.
 
After a moment's hesitation, the omnimechs surged towards him - Kit Foxes and Fire Moths for the most part. One of the Kit Foxes slowed as it reached Aidan's position, while the others flowed south to join the Gyrfalcon Guards behind him. He saw Elementals clinging to the battered light 'mechs, no more than two or three to an omnimech and most of them showing the black stains of harjel leaking out to seal penetrations to their armor.
"Star Captain Eagle?"
 
"Aff. Thank you for breaking through for us," the Jade Falcon said shortly. "We broke the first attempt to crush us in the valley but we were short of ammunition and it was only a matter of time before their 'mechs were able to repair and rejoin the fight."
 
"Did you not try to break out?" asked Horse, moving his Hellbringer up to the ridge. Others of the Gyrfalcon Guards joined them, forming a loose firing line.
 
"Of course! But for every tank we destroyed there seemed to be three more." Eagle sighed heavily. "They could have crushed us with that alone, but I think they knew we would inflict lesser losses if they brought their 'mechs as well."
 
Aidan checked his comm suite. "All Guards, be aware that FedCom 'mechs are in the area. They must know we are here." And if they smashed through the flanks, they might snare a second Cluster for their trouble.
 
Another cluster of Omnimechs raced towards them, larger in number but also mostly light and medium designs. "Bravo Trinary," Eagle identified. "And what is left of Delta. Most of our elementals."
 
"Come on, Marthe," Aidan snarled under his breath. "What are you waiting for?"
 
As if in response to his words, the heavier 'mechs of Trinary Alpha and the Command Star came into view. Three Summoners were among the twelve survivors, but even at this distance he was sure he could identify Marthe's ride by its movements alone. They had known each other for a lifetime, after all. Learned to pilot 'mechs together. Even shared their trial of position…
 
He grimaced at the reminder of that black day when Marthe had scored him as one of her kills to begin her climb in rank, relegating him to a technician. That, by all rights, should have parted them forever but in a curious way Aidan was no longer angry at that. She had made the choice that was right for her, just as his recklessness had suited him… and the two paths had brought them both here.
 
And then his relief broke off as sensors wailed in warning.
 
"Enemy 'mechs!" Eagle snapped, starting to turn his Kit Fox around as the Jade Falcon 'mechs in view broke into a dangerously fast run for the steep slopes of the valley, each twisting to bring the weapons in at least one arm around to bear behind them.
 
Aidan hunched his Summoner over. "Bounding retreat, five hundred meter intervals. Horse, form the next line."
 
"Eagle, you are with me!" the freeborn commanded, backing his Hellbringer up.
 
"We can not leave the Star Colonel!"
 
"You will not help her by charging in," Aidan told him. "We will give covering fire to her until she reaches us, then you give us covering fire in turn, quiaff?"
 
"...aff," the officer agreed reluctantly and his Kit Fox turned to follow Horse's mech down the valley.
 
The pursuit was not 'mechs of equivalent size, Aidan assessed as he forced himself to wait until they reached effective range of his PPC. Lighter and faster 'mechs that could overtake the Summoners and other heavy omnimechs. He saw Wolfhounds and Commandos, backed by a pair of Phoenix Hawks, a Cicada and…
 
The Centurion showering a limping Stormcrow with LRMs was not falling behind the fast moving 'mechs. That wasn't entirely a surprise, there had been reports of upgraded Centurions with more powerful engines during earlier battles. But the 'mech was paired with two others that Aidan's targeting computer tagged as Hatchetman but with low confidence. The cockpit design did not match and it was certainly too fast, on par with the other 'mechs.
No, faster. Aidan's jaw dropped as indicators clocked the new 'mechs as moving at close to a hundred and twenty kilometers an hour, almost catching a nimble Locust that he hadn't seen until now.
 
There was no way a Hatchetman could move that fast without a major upgrade.
 
A Hellbringer was trailing at the back of the pack and it turned to fight, a knowing sacrifice as the pursuit fanned out to outflank and harass the Jaeger's from all directions. The mechwarrior inside scored two hits on one of the mystery 'mechs with its twin large lasers.
 
Neither shot seemed to penetrate - not surprising against a fresh 'mech and Aidan saw the Hellbringer stagger as streams of laser pulses bit into it. The thermal signatures of the Feddie 'mechs were high, hovering at a point that he would expect to impair them but they were doing more damage to the Omnimech than it had done in return.
 
And unlike the rest of the force, they didn't try to avoid a close encounter. The rest of their force was using the width of the valley to try for an encirclement, those of them without the range to hit Marthe's force pushing to get ahead of her. But these two…
 
They each had the mounted axe of a Hatchetman, and they leapt upon the Hellbringer like falcons swooping down on a mouse. The axes swept down and they must have practiced together because the heavy omnimech took crushing blows. The left arm - where both large lasers were mounted - went spinning away, severed entirely. The other arm wasn't severed, but the side of the 'mech was caved in to the point control runs must have been damaged, and the ammunition bins that would have fed weapons there must have been empty already because there was no explosion when the pod-space there was visibly torn open.
 
Marthe skidded her Summoner to a halt. "Aidan, get out of here!"
 
The other Feddies were getting ahead of her. She was not going to escape.
 
"Retreat," Aidan ordered, but his voice was barely a whisper as he watched his sibkin turn to fight her last battle.
 
"Sir?" asked one of the mechwarriors with him.
 
"I said pull back!" he shouted, forcing the words out. "Horse, full retreat!" They would have to move fast if they were going to win this race.
 
But he couldn't bring himself to move. Couldn't look away.
 
The new and unknown mechs, light gray and marked with the sword and shield he knew belonged to the Avalon Hussar, tackled Marthe's Summoner with lasers flashing. One was illuminated by a flash as the other Star Colonel fired her PPC into it at point blank range. It was the undamaged one, but the shot didn't penetrate. That worried Aidan in the back of his mind - a mech that fast, that well armed… and that armored? That was surprisingly good.
 
The axes rose and fell, driving the Summoner to one knee.
Then they rose and fell again, one of them cleaving the heavy 'mech's cockpit in two, at an angle that must have crossed the pilot's seat.
 
The sight broke Aidan's inability to move. He spun his Summoner and without firing a single shot at the incoming 'mechs he raced the heavy 'mech after his command, struggling to get every iota of performance out of the myomers of his 'mechs legs.
 
They crashed down the valley, falling back on the flank guards. Aidan said nothing as he saw Diana rejoin them safely, a fear he had not given form to until that moment.
 
At each narrows, he dreaded learning that enough forces might have arrived to slow them until pursuit could catch up. At each, he was relieved.
 
"What are we running from?" Joanna demanded.
 
"The tanks we fought earlier belong to the Arcturan Guards," he said flatly. "The 'mechs back there are Avalon Hussars. There's two regimental combat teams in these valleys and we are too far from our logistics. If they tear into us before we reach the hills we will be worn down and shredded by one force after another."
 
"Friendly air cover is here!" Horse called, waving his Hellbringer's arm up ahead.
Aidan looked up and saw the silhouette of a pair of Visigoths streaking up the valley towards them. "Trinary Echo, do you read me?" he asked on the channel for the Guards air cover.
 
"We read you, Star Colonel Pryde. I am glad the orders reached you. The dropships are relocating to a landing zone as near as possible."
 
"I have received no new orders," he replied. "What should I have heard?"
 
The pilot paused and the fighters flashed past above Aidan. Then they pulled up, arching up above the valley. "The Nova Cats report that their cruiser Blood Oath has taken crippling damage, sir. An unknown battlecruiser used a pirate point and inflicted heavy damage. It is tentatively identified as a Lyran Tharkad-class vessel."
 
"I thought they had no warships?!"
 
"Someone does," the pilot replied bluntly. "Khan Chistu and Star Colonel Redmond are out of contact. Star Colonel Hoyt has taken command and ordered an evacuation."
 
"Not for our warships to fight it?" One battlecruiser was bad, but they still had two cruisers.
 
"On last report, the CSV Steep Python was making for their JumpShips. Star Commodore Binetti reports that the odds of his defeating a cruiser of that class with only the support of our aerospace forces is slim, there are at least two large aerospace carrier dropships supporting the Tharkad."
 
"I understand." We have lost, Aidan thought. "Send me the landing zone data for my Cluster and the Second Jaegers. Inform the dropship commanders and Star Colonel Hoyt that I endorse the decision to evacuate."
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===The Aftermath of Coventry and decisions being made because of it===
Unity City, North America
Terra, Sol System
17 November 3055
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Wellston was visible in the background as light flared in Coventry's orbital space. The electromagnetic pulse bloomed outwards, forming a visible sphere for a brief moment.
 
When the light faded a long, grey hull was left behind, gold and royal blue trim just barely visible. Tiny in comparison to the mass of their parent vessel, dropships detached and - barely specs marked by their fusion thrusters - aerospace fighters were hurled out into the void.
 
Finally, surrounded by a small task group of the escorts it had carried, the battlecruiser's own engines came to life and it began to accelerate in the general direction of the camera that had taken the images.
 
"The satellite wasn't in position to observe the resulting battle, but one of the three cruisers brought by the Clans suffered major damage and was ultimately scuttled when it was clear that it couldn't reach a jump point in time to escape," Elswick Cameron reported.
 
"Salvageable?" Precentor Martial Focht enquired.
 
"Unclear at this time," the Precentor reported. "We understand that the Federated Commonwealth plan to recover the hull, but so far that has been a low priority in the aftermath of Coventry. Most likely a salvage crew will visit in the next month to check that the remains aren't an active hazard and carry out a preliminary survey."
Wei glanced around the informal little gathering of her advisors. The weather had precluded using a beach but they were at least in a nice lounge with drinks available. No one seemed to have more questions on that point so she gave Cameron a nod. "So once the Invincible had penetrated their blockade, the Clans withdrew?"
 
"Reports suggest that efforts in digging the defenders out of the Cross-Divide Mountains weren't making any significant progress," he added. "While most of Coventry was notionally under Clan control, the fighting had consolidated almost entirely to the regions around those mountains. Coventry Military Academy had been occupied by the Jade Falcons and we believe a number of outlying factories feeding Coventry Metal Works had been damaged in attempts to seize the main battlemech factories but there was relatively little impact on most of Coventry's population. The campaign was essentially stalled."
 
Focht nodded solemnly. "The Invincible could not be neglected: either the Clans destroyed her or she would have freedom to threaten their JumpShips or even bombard the Clans' landing zones from orbit the way she did the Kuritas back in her last battle, two hundred years ago." He shrugged. "I doubt Duke Bradford would have been pleased by orbital fire against the Clans, and it might have opened up the WMD question again, but the JumpShip threat alone would have been enough."
 
Wei was glad that orbital bombardment had not been attempted. "Excuse me: 'she'?"
 
"Convention has it that ships are referred to as female, Primus."
 
She gestured towards the display. "Oh please, you're telling me that the long phallic object driving into the Clan's rear is a strap on?"
There were groans from some of those in the room. Dahlia Erin picked up a slice of tart from the plate on her lap. "Well the Archon is a woman, Primus." Then she bit neatly into the tart.
 
"And she has some impressive toys," Wei observed.
 
"Be that as it may," Cameron continued determinedly, "A concerted effort by the two remaining warships might have threatened the Invincible, but we believe that there was a failure in coordination and the Steel Viper's cruiser departed rapidly for their JumpShips, presumably to secure them against attack. The remaining cruiser, tentatively identified as a Jade Falcon vessel, avoided direct action and provided coverage for dropships taking off and making for the various jump points, until they were far enough away that there was no serious risk of Invincible intercepting those flotillas."
 
"With only one smaller warship to face… them," inquired Focht, "I am surprised Invincible didn't try to push for an engagement."
 
Precentor Zwick shook his head. "We don't know how much damage the old girl took fighting the first warship," he pointed out. "And covering Coventry against any bombardment attempts by the Clans as they withdrew probably took priority."
 
"Ah, a good point." Focht shook his head. "I would appreciate a refresher for my staff on warship considerations now that the Federated Commonwealth has deployed them. Their use was not part of my practical experience and it is something we will have to get used to dealing with."
 
"Of course, sir. I'll contact your staff to schedule a brief seminar."
 
Wei glanced around the room. "Does anyone have any speculations as to what will happen now?"
 
"We are looking at a new phase of the war," Focht declared firmly. "For the first time since Camlann, the Clans have been stopped cold. "Between that and the fact that there are very few Combine worlds left above the truce line, I expect at least a lull in offensive actions on the part of the Clans."
 
She paused and then nodded in agreement. "And from the other side?"
 
"We know the AFFC is planning for an eventual counter-offensive," Cameron told her. "But they would also benefit from breathing space. More than sixty of their military commands have been in heavy combat, some of them taking serious losses or even lost entirely. A year or two would let them replace much of that, as well as finish up the first of their new warships."
 
Zwick nodded. "Invincible's success was to some degree due to surprise. Now that she is expected, the Clans will prepare forces to fight her, so in turn the Steiner-Davions will want to be able to provide escorts."
 
"I see." Wei pinched the brow of her nose. "And we know that the Clans are still discussing the possibility of renouncing the truce and racing towards Terra. A significant number of the First Circuit find the prospect of occupation by even the most mild of the Clans unacceptable, much less the idea of the Smoke Jaguars arriving and doing… as they have to many other worlds."
 
"And the Smoke Jaguars are unscathed by the recent fighting," added Focht. "If the truce were broken tomorrow then they or Clan Wolf would pose the largest threat."
 
The Primus leant forwards. "Archon Melissa Steiner-Davion has asked that ComStar serve in its traditional role as a neutral mediator, offering the three Clans that have been fighting the Federated Commonwealth a formal ceasefire along the current border until the expiry of the current truce. Given that she has also asked for discussions for coordinated military action if and when the truce is no longer in effect, I do not think she will be negotiating in good faith but I cannot refuse on the basis of mere suspicion."
 
Cameron considered that for a moment. "Most probably the offer will be pushing against an open door. All three Clans have expended a great deal of their manpower and supplies over the last three years. My analysts believe that a coordinated attack on Coventry was a last ditch attempt to cripple the Commonwealth's local logistics so that they could push up to the truce line before they ran out of steam. Now that that's failed, an armistice will be in their short-term interests."
 
Erin set down her plate with a clink. "Both sides have a vested interest in a pause, neither has any intention of ceasing the war entirely. Such an agreement will be made, then broken by whichever feels they have advantage first."
 
"If only they agreed to one or two more things," Wei observed. "And the Archon wants us to be that advantage for her?"
 
"To be fair," Zwick noted, "After Camlann, I doubt any of the Clans would allow us to retain our accustomed role. We know they're bringing in their own HPGs to build up an alternative network to ours."
 
"So I either commit to aid the Federated Commonwealth and their allies, or we get driven out of around a quarter of the Inner Sphere, exposing billions of people under our protection to… questionable circumstances." She lowered her eyes and contemplated the floor. "That is not a complicated decision."
 
"I am fairly sure we all know how the First Circuit will vote," Cameron pointed out, not without some sympathy.
 
"I am the Primus. Responsibility stops with me." Wei considered resignation, but that would be as good as a decision since she knew what any successor would be forced to do. And there were the whispers that she was not supposed to hear, suggesting that a decisive and overwhelming strike against the Clans would eliminate the threat. Mobilizing Terra's industry to produce an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction to be employed from their fleet, which was almost certainly larger than any single Clan's.
 
It could be done.
 
Wei Rong felt strongly that it should not be. Unlike those of the Order raised on Terra, she had seen the Succession Wars first hand. It had driven her to study how and why the earlier wars had been worse still than those she lived through.
 
She took a deep breath. "The Captain-General and the Chancellor have offered to open discussions of further support to the combatants. In fact, Chancellor Liao has taken the initiative of opening communications with the major periphery states to include them."
 
"I am sure that went well," Focht snorted.
 
"I have received messages from Taurus, Canopus IV and Alpheratz," Wei continued, "Enquiring as to the scheduling of a conference to discuss a unified front against the Clans."
 
You could have heard a pin drop.
 
"I believe," Cameron said at last, "That we have Clan Diamond Shark's attack on the Outworlds to thank for this."
 
"Not that that will stop Sun-Tzu Liao from claiming credit. Not that it matters," Wei allowed. "I suppose I have little option but to call such a conference now. We may never again have the chance to bring the leaders of the Inner Sphere like this. Even if it does mean taking their side."
 
"You find that hard to accept," Erin asked mildly. "May I ask your reasons, Wei?"
 
She looked at the other woman and then sat back in her chair. "The Order will not survive in its current form. Whatever happens, the Clans have eliminated our monopoly on HPG communications and our technological advantages. We need a new direction and I do not believe force of arms is that path. It is necessary, I know that… but it is not enough."
 
"You may be surprised that I agree," the Precentor Martial declared. "The ComGuards will defend the Order, but we are not the source of its legitimacy and we never can be. And given the nature of our territory, we cannot maintain a nation in the vein of one of the Successor States."
 
Cameron looked curious. "If we could reach a point where we have a stable framework to interact with the Clans, would you accept neutrality with them, Primus?"
 
She looked at him in surprise. "Of course. Humanity is hardly short of armed factions, one less won't hurt. Points of stability are harder to come by."
 
"I will be sure to bring any suggestions along those lines towards your attention then," Precentor Rho assured her, taking another slice of tart.
 
"That would be appreciated," Wei told her. "Anyway, we could be looking at Magestrix Emma Centrella visiting in person. Protector Calderon prefers to send his son Jeffrey -"
 
"I wonder if he is aware that if he left Taurus there is a better than average chance he would no longer be Protector on his return." Cameron mused.
 
"Perhaps," she allowed judiciously. Thomas Calderon was a tireless proponent of defending the Concordat from military invasion, but that made him seem just a little ridiculous when there had been no credible likelihood of that in Wei's lifetime. Certainly, both the Capellans and the Federated Commonwealth would be delighted to add the worlds to their respective domains, but both were well aware that the Taurians had a drastically different view of the acceptable use of nuclear warheads than most of the Inner Sphere. The cost of such an invasion would vastly outweigh the benefits.
 
The Protector's erroneous claims that the reports of a Clan invasion were a ruse to trick him into relaxing the high military readiness he insisted on might be the final straw. Reports suggested that the Taurian Defense Forces had elements near to rebellion as a result of minimal personal leave time over a span of decades, not to mention that they weren't free to respond to pirate attacks for fear of reducing the defenses against the AFFC.
 
"Similarly," she continued, "President Avellar has nominated his son Mitchell to represent him. Presumably because he's holding the Alliance together by little more than his personal example right now."
 
Erin tilted her head slightly. "It may also be formal preparation for Mitchell to assume power. His father has never been enthusiastic about his own fitness for office, and now that his son is of age he may be preparing to abdicate."
 
"I can emphasize," Wei admitted, "But it would be poor timing."
 
"There would be an almost Draconian sense of taking responsibility for losing so much of the Alliance to the Diamond Sharks," murmured Focht. "Not that poor Neil Avellar had any choice in the matter - he has done everything he can within the limits of his office to aid the Alliance Military Corps."
 
The Outworlds Alliance was the poorest of the major periphery realms and their government the weakest. The need for unanimous support for major initiatives made military investment very difficult given the vocal pacifist voting bloc within their electorate. In a happier, more peaceful era this would be of little harm. Alas, they and Wei had to deal with the ambitions of the Great Houses and now the Clans.
 
"At least House Avellar will be represented. All eight of the Great Houses in one place. Not even Hanse Davion's wedding commanded that level of attendance."
 
Focht chuckled at Erin's words. "Let us hope that no one has marital ambitions then."
 
"I think that Minoru Kurita might appreciate being offered the return of Pesht Military District in exchange for his sister's hand in marriage," Wei said drily. "I don't think that it's practical, but he would no doubt be happy if it was."
 
"More seriously," the head of ComStar's spies warned, "The three periphery realms will no doubt be very sensitive to any suggestions that they are being given less consideration than their Inner Sphere counterparts. They might all rattle if they were inside of the Free Worlds League, but given the way that they were treated under the Star League."
 
"That might be the point," Wei thought out loud. "Behind Chancellor Liao pushing for their involvement, I mean."
 
Focht frowned. "How so?"
 
"The Draconis Combine and Capellan Confederation have been arguably reduced to third-rate powers compared to the Federated Commonwealth and Free Worlds League," she pointed out. "But if we're giving equal consideration to Houses Avellar, Calderon and Centrella then we can hardly do less for House Kurita and the two rival Houses Liao. At least the Archon and the Captain-General are both fairly diplomatic."
 
She wasn't anything like as confident that the First Prince would be as kind to his realm's traditional enemies, both of them now much reduced. Hanse Davion was brilliant, but he could also take his natural confidence to the point of being offensively smug.
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===Concerns about Succession===
The Triad, Tharkad
Donegal Province, Federated Commonwealth
9 December 3055
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"You should follow Victor's example and take a nice desk posting for a while," Arthur Steiner-Davion suggested to his brother.
 
"Don't get too ambitious, squirt. The Third went two rounds with the Falcons already," Peter asserted. "Unlike someone who is still wet behind the ears."
 
Was I that obnoxious about not wanting to go to Sarna? Victor wondered as he listened to his brothers' bickering. Arthur had graduated from Sanglamore just this year and been posted to the First Royal Guards on Tharkad rather than the frontlines. He was obviously chafing and Peter wasn't exactly being gracious about lording his combat experience over the youngest Steiner-Davion brother. I don't think I'd like an honest answer.
 
"What do you think, Victor?" Arthur demanded. "I should get my chance!"
"In total honesty," he said after a moment's reflection, "I don't think Peter is ready for a teaching position."
 
"Exactly!" the tallest of the three exclaimed, missing the intended reprimand.
 
"But after the last few years, the Third Davion Guards could do with a quieter posting while they rebuild," Victor continued. "Maybe a nice quiet spot watching the Taurian border."
 
Peter snarled and then grabbed a drink from the one of the trays being carried around. "Not bloody likely."
 
With a slight smile, Victor turned to Arthur. "Keep doing your best here on Tharkad, Arthur. You'll get your chance to show what you can do. You're just getting your rear area ticket punched first - which is what I thought I was getting on Trellwan."
 
"Thanks, Victor!" the boy exclaimed.
 
Victor wondered if Arthur would keep the enthusiasm after his first time on a battlefield. Coventry had been a victory, but it had not been won cheaply. Losses had been roughly proportionate, according to the analysts... which added up to a dreadful toll upon the AFFC's soldiers.
 
"I'm going to go check in on the naval heroes," he gestured towards nearest officer wearing the naval variant of a dress uniform, hoping that neither brother knew that Rear Admiral Charlton had come up through comms and was currently embedded in the naval branches' administration, meaning that he was only enjoying reflected glory from the Invincible's part on Coventry. "You two… well, don't do anything I wouldn't."
 
"Okay, one raid behind enemy lines coming on!" Arthur joked.
 
Victor hoped he was joking, at least. Still, Arthur wouldn't be able to get too far if he did try that - Peter would rat him out if he had to.
 
While external balconies weren't commonly used on Tharkad, the weather making them less than hospitable, there were plenty of deep window bays that were partly separated from the main hallways that the party was spilling through by heavy drapes. Not enough to allow complete privacy, but they were cooler than the halls and offered some anonymity. Victor threaded through the party, glad that even if his face was well known his stature meant he couldn't be identified at long distances, and managed to duck into one of the window bays for a moment's privacy.
 
He had just tugged his uniform collar open so that he could enjoy the cooler air fully when he was joined in the space.
 
"Excuse me," he began, reluctantly preparing to close up his collar again. A woman with him meant his uniform had to be immaculate or rumors would spread, "I… Omi?"
 
Unusually for his experience of the Kurita princess, she was dressed up without resorting to a formal kimono. Her gown had a black body and flowing skirts of royal blue. "Victor." She gave him a fond smile and nodded towards his rank tabs.
 
Victor's hand went up to the tabs, almost shifting to hide them. "I did nothing to really deserve a promotion."
 
"You led your warriors to victory," she corrected him. "You stopped the Clans from doing to your people what was done to mine."
 
"I know it's hard to turn around without getting promoted in both our families," Victor demurred. "Peter's a Kommandant now, for god's sake. But jumping me two ranks was a bit much."
 
"Modesty is a virtue, but it can be taken to extremes." Omi moved to the window and looked out at the snowy night. "Burnishing your reputation can make it a weapon for your parents to wield, and in time for your own. You and your brother have at least attached it to actual accomplishments, unlike the legends of Lyran generals granted medals for, as you put it, turning around."
 
"I suppose you're right." He paused. "Excuse me, I should have asked after your brother."
 
"Minoru bears a heavy burden," she said, not looking back yet. "We have another brother, it seems. I hope that he will help to carry that burden rather than add to it. It remains to be seen." Then Omi turned slightly. "Have you heard from your sister lately - pardon, the elder of them. I know Yvonne is studying and that takes much of her time."
 
"Yeah, she wrote to me though. Said she's looking at transferring to naval track, she's not sure she has the reflexes for piloting." Victor shook his head. "Katherine… I got a letter saying she was glad Peter and I made it back. She did think one of us should have left Coventry but…" he shrugged. It had been close enough to the Clan's arrival that it would have looked like cowardice by one of them and they'd have fought over which of them was to leave… it would have been a mess.
 
Omi nodded slightly in understanding. "I saw her on New Avalon after she completed her tour of duty on Robinson."
 
"I think she'll do better there," he said honestly. "Katherine served because it was expected of her, I don't think she's a natural soldier."
 
"I agree that she may do better in the government," the young Kurita agreed. "I am slightly concerned, however, that she has been sent to the Ministry of Administrative Services."
"Oh?"
 
"It is the tradition of your people that the heir be assigned to take charge of that Ministry," she reminded him. "She will, of course, be a great support to you when that time comes. However, there are others who may see this as her being groomed to supersede you."
 
Victor frowned. "Omi, you're talking about my sister."
 
She shook her head slightly. "Victor, what is real can matter little in politics, compared to perceptions. By appointing your sister to this position, your father risks that she will be a target for those who feel they can rise higher with her patronage - and tempted to try to advance Katherine to your place regardless of her wishes. The ambitious assume ambition in others."
 
His stomach soured at the thought. "Thanks for the reminder. I know Mom wants me back here, to give me more grounding in politics - have you told her this?"
 
"To this extent, yes. As a guest in your mother's court, I can advise her that I see a potential issue, but to do more…" She spread her hands. "I would transgress to tell any mother how to govern her children, much less a ruler who must make hard decisions of this nature."
 
"And what would you suggest? In mother's shoes?"
 
Omi raised one eyebrow but did not ask him if he was sure. "I would wait. And in a year or two, when Katherine has had opportunity to show her abilities, I would promote her to another department suiting her aptitudes. This respects her pride and reduces the chances of comparison between you when you eventually return to New Avalon."
 
"That may be many years from now, Omi. I've military duty here and then… well, I am Duke of Sarna. I figured that eventually I'd leave the service to spend time in the Ministry of the Sarna March before going back to the capital. A way to learn the ropes without being quite so visible."
 
That would indeed be wise," she agreed. "However, you may not have that time."
 
Victor gave her a puzzled look. "I doubt mom and dad have been talking about their plans for me, no offense."
 
"No, of course. That would be inappropriate," Omi said without any resentment. "My concern is for your father's health, Victor. He has done me the kindness of taking time to discuss my parents - his respect for them and his understanding of what it is to lose one's parents before their time." She paused. "I do not mean to suggest there is immediate concern, but your father's health does not seem to be entirely robust."
 
"Dad's always said he was healthy as a horse!"
 
"I hope that you are right," she agreed calmly. "And my grandfather, several years older than him, was still in excellent health until his own demise. But it may be that your father's confidence in his own condition is misplaced. He tired more easily than I expected, and always pushed on, never once did I see him take the time to husband his energies. That is… concerning."
 
Victor looked away. "I'll ask mom."
 
"Please." Omi reached for the curtain. "I fear I may have damaged the trust between us, Victor. But your family have been friends to me and…"
 
"No." He reached out and took her elbow briefly in reassurance. "No, I understand. I appreciate the concern. But you're probably reading too much into this."
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Chapter 3-13