WoWS3 Chpt 35

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==Weapons of War Saga: The Final March- Chapter 35 - ==
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===Executive Orders===
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////////////////////////////////Executive Order of the Archon////////////////////////////////////
On This day the 20th of October, 3144
Her Majesty, the Archon, Trillian Steiner does decree the following;
1. After careful examination Her Majesty has determined that the conspiracy to overthrow the government of the Lyran Commonwealth has been suppressed. The relevant actors have been punished by conveniently dying during the action.
2. Therefore, no further reprisals will be made against family, friends, or associates not directly involved in the coup attempt, and those holding ranks below Colonel are not to be further punished in any way for executing orders they did not know were unlawful.
3. Amnesty will be extended to those peripheral to the actions of the coup attempt, and no further punishment is warranted at this time.
4. A list of the conspirators is to be published, with notation for amnesty put on display for the public to see, and to know, and to judge as they see fit.
5. LCS Invincible is to be brought out of mothballs, torn, down, and reconstructed as possible, if function cannot be restored in five years' time, it is to be fully disarmed and made into a public museum.
6. Her Majesty has decreed that the LCAF Naval Branch is to be audited and examined in order to make room for restoration and expansion.
7. LCAF Ground Forces are to be audited to determine completeness and fitness for service to the Nation, with steps to be taken to correct defects and deficiencies as immediately as is physically possible.
This I have Decreed,
Trillian Steiner
Archon, Lyran Commonwealth.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////Message End/////////////////////////////////////////////////
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From: Terran Hegemony in Exile Diplomatic Mission
Tharkad City
Tharkad, Lyran Commonwealth
The Terran Hegemony in Exile wishes to extend our condolences to those who lost loved ones and friends in the recent events.
We are also satisfied that the attack on our compound was led by rogue elements.
In these trying days we will be opening clinics and relief centers near our embassy grounds to provide for those caught up in the fighting.
If you need assistance please make use of these facilities.
Sincerely,
Ambassador Lori Cameron
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"Amnesty?" Amanda Roberts re-read the messages.
"It makes sense politically. Most of these things, they put the most visible conspirators up on a show trial, followed by public punishments, but according to OUR intelligence, the coup involved LOTS of people, with varying and even conflicting reasons…so she declares victory, publishes the ones that are still alive, with a big, fat 'amnesty', one that cripples their ability to rally supporters, because those supporters know they're basically traitors who got lucky once." Foster explained, "Not how we'd do it in the Clans, but it's an effective way to neuter her critics."
“Still I’m sending a message to Lori to do what she can for the children of these people. There will be those who lacking alternatives that will take revenge on those who bear no more crime than sharing a name and being the offspring of the wrong person.” Helena Cameron added.
"That's probably part of her plan for this too, Helena." Amanda noted, "Something to consider, Trillian's a better politician than Katrin, it's obvious even to me. She's keeping the opposition while gutting them and neutralizing their influence, lots of these names are on our list of possible Alaric supporters."
“And by playing on my compassion she drastically reduces the odds of this happening again in twenty years.”
Amanda chuckled, "She's playing on the reputation of brutal suppression and counting on your compassion to push them out of Alaric's corner. She shows 'mercy' and you give them a path to…safety? That also serves her purposes and keeps them from jumping the fence to the Wolf Empire."
“End of day they become my problem, not hers. Progress on our joint school at Skye? Reports are that Trillian is getting antsy for people.”
"They also become your asset." Amanda noted, "Because who's going to have their gratitude?"
“That is a distinct possibility.” Helena nodded.
“We’ll be inducting the first class first of November.” Reimu announced.
“Good.”
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===The complexity of Marriage===
Jonah and Cossack’s quarters
Port Orphan, Periphery
1st November, 3144
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“This is kind of weird…” Jonah said as he studied the two copies of his wife.
“In every way that matters, I am still your wife.”
“I know. It is just weird. There is no other way to put it.”
“Suppose it is.”
“Minea…”
“She’ll miss being an apprentice on a destroyer. We’ll just have to steer her and her friends around to accepting a corvette for their apprenticeships. A couple more years and they’ll be eligible for full service status. They grow up so fast…”
“I’ll do my best to keep them together if they all sign up. I might even put them with Phoenix.”
“They’ll all sign up. It’s in Alice, Micheal, and Thadeus’ blood. Minea is a born spacer. Elka and Iason will want to be with them to make sure that nothing happens to their friends that they can do something about.”
“Speaking of Minea, where is she?” Jonah suddenly realized just how empty their quarters were.
“Saya’s watching her. So I have something special in mind for you, Jonah…” Both copies of his wife said in unison.
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===Capellan Resolve===
Sheratan, Capellan Confederation
3 November 3144
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Sheratan had only been occupied by the Confederation for a few months so when a liberation force showed up, well what garrison had been left on the world had quickly vanished into the untamed wilderness.
“It’ll take months, possibly years to root them all out.” Brody looked at his brother Chase.
“Yeah. But they know they don’t have the local support to do anything other than be annoying.”
“True. But we’re in the big leagues now. Which means we have an entire division to handle such problems.”
“Which worries me in a way. The Confederation could easily break out the canned sunshine to equal the odds.”
“The great conundrum. We spread out enough that nuking us isn’t efficient but that leaves us vulnerable to defeat in detail. Stay clumped up and we’ll be nuke bait but safe from raids.”
“Big leagues, big stakes, and big responsibility. Bring up the maps. We’ve got a conundrum to solve.”
The answers turned out to be based on mobility and coverage. High-powered weapons are just the thing for a dug in opponent who can't leave. They're not so good for dealing with a highly mobile opponent playing offense via mobile, mechanized warfare.
Rapid response, forward bases that were the bare minimum needed, all low impact and easily abandoned if need be without giving the insurgents anything of any real value. Orbital satellite nets for observation to watch for where any attempts to consolidate for a strike at one of these places.
It would be a bit hard on the troops since there was no no AI support but it was the best response.
If the Capellans came with a strong force? Well they had a second set of satellites looking away from the planet.
The anticipated response came on the 19th.
Chancellor Daoshen Liao sent in the 1st Canopian Lancers. On their own.
A single regiment against a full Star League Division.
One sided did not even begin to describe it.
The shattered remnants were allowed to retreat.
It was quickly decided that Fletcher would need to be struck next despite their plan working as intended, at least so far as they could tell. The mind game angle would take a while to play out yet.
But this time from beginning to end it would be a purely human force.
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