SotU3 Chpt 26

=Chapter 26=
==State of the Union - Book 3==
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The Triad, Tharkad
Donegal Province, Federated Commonwealth
December 7th, 3067
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On the final day of the Star League Council’s meetings, Isis Marik noted a change among those sitting at the Federated Commonwealth table.
Peter Steiner-Davion rarely sat alone there but for the first time since the wedding, Yvonne Steiner-Davion had joined him and their other sister Catherine was absent. She supposed that meant that the younger of the two sisters had finished her honeymoon and only a few moments before the session convened, Tancred Sandoval arrived and sat next to his wife, which moved Peter off to one side rather than taking the central seat.
“Countess Steiner-Davion departed early for New Avalon." Reginald Brett-Marik murmured from his seat next to Isis at the Free Worlds League table. “Transport connections are tight, as I understand it, so it was this or a two week delay for her.”
That was Isis’ general understanding of the shipping situation, although it wouldn’t affect her return to Dieudonne. The various heads of states would be given priority for returning to at least the nearest border of their native realms. Scout-class Jumpships from the ComStar commercial fleet had been specifically hired to bridge between commercial routes in order to ensure that, or the disruptions could have had dire consequences for the Federated Commonwealth’s war effort.
Christian Mansdottir waited until the hour had struck on the chamber’s clock and then rose to his feet, moving around to the podium. “It has been my privilege." the general declared solemnly. “To serve as the First Lord for the last three years. This Star League, our Star League, was forged facing the prospect of a Clan invasion, but it has become something more. We have forged new relationships and it’s been my very great honor to see the beginning of a new relationship between the realms of the Inner Sphere and the Periphery, with the Taurian Concordat and Magistracy of Canopus joining us as full equals - a chance to learn from a historical failure of our predecessors.”
He gestured to two new tables that had been inserted overnight, expanding the circle. “And now we expand our relationships again. Following the precedent set three years ago, it is my last duty as the First Lord to welcome our new provisional members.”
There was a round of applause as two men entered the ballroom side by side. For a moment they paused and then the younger of the two bowed slightly to his elder, gesturing for him to go first. “Please, Commander. I insist.”
Jaime Wolf wore the full uniform of the Wolf's Dragoons, replete with leathers and furs. He walked solemnly to the circle and stood behind one of the tables. “First Lord, speaking for the Martial Alliance, I request permission to seat my delegation as a provisional member of the Star League.”
“Commander Wolf." Mansdottir greeted him. “You are most welcome.”
Wolf’s table was next to that of the Free Worlds League, so Isis heard him mutter “the last time someone said that to me…” before he was drowned out by several dozen men and women moving from the fringes of the room to join him in sitting down. They were a diverse group - the Khan of the Nova Cats, Santin West, had been seated alongside Theodore Kurita for some of the earlier discussions, but besides Dragoons and Nova Cats there were kilted Highlanders from Northwind and four other mercenary units. Colonel Camacho, commander of the Seventeenth Recon Regiment - now the military of their native Trinity Worlds - wore a FWLM officer’s uniform stripped of the national markings.
When she looked back, Isis saw that the other man had moved to his own table on the far side of the circle from her. “First Lord, speaking for the Marian Hegemony, I ask to seat my delegation as a provisional member of the Star League.”
Mansdottir nodded. “Imperator O’Reilly, welcome to the Star League.”
Reginald’s fists clenched beneath the table, but he kept his voice low. “I would have been happier if it was the Outworlders.”
“Well, the offer was made.” Isis could have lived without the Marians given their long history of piracy, not to mention their more recent invasion of the Free Worlds League - an invasion that had killed Reginald’s father before it was stopped. “It’s unfortunate that they declined. Perhaps next time.”
President Mitchell Avellar seemed to be in favor, from what little Isis knew of him. But he would require a unanimous decision from his Executive Parliament to accept such a treaty and so far he didn’t have one. For all the quiet scorn she’d heard about that arrangement, Isis felt from her own experience addressing the Silver Hawks’ parliament, that House Avellar deserved high praise for the fact that they had managed to get enough unanimous decisions out of their Parliament to keep the OutWorlds Alliance afloat over the centuries.
For a time it had seemed that the Rim Collection would also seek provisional membership but apparently the sudden explosion of violence from the Clans had convinced them that they would be better off independent - and hopefully unnoticed - for now.
The Marian delegation was much smaller, only two advisors joining the Imperator - his two half-brothers. Isis suspected that Julian had brought them simply to ensure that neither was placed in his throne on Alphard during the absence required for him to be here.
Mansdottir folded his hands. “And with this, I formally conclude my term as the First Lord of the Second Star League. Thank you all, and my God go with you all.”
With that, he turned crisply and walked away not only from the podium but also the table itself - not even taking a seat among Ragnar Magnusson’s advisors. Many eyes watched him leave the ballroom.
Gavin Dow took the podium instead. “My lords, we must now choose to elect a new First Lord to lead us for the next three years. Our choices would appear to be either the Archon-Prince or one of the representatives of the Free Worlds League, these being the only initial members who have yet to serve.”
Isis rose to her feet. “The Free Worlds League representatives respectfully decline candidacy at this time. We would prefer that a sitting Captain-General hold the title.” It seemed unlikely that the near assurance of serving as First Lord would reduce the tension between the three candidates, it might even make it worse, but far more concerning was the prospect that it might convince the combatants to turn their firepower against the neutral fragments of the Free Worlds League. None of them wanted that.
Sun-Tzu Liao shifted in his seat. “Before the crown is bestowed upon Lord Steiner-Davion, I must point out that we have three new sitting members. There is nothing barring them from election as their realms have not had that joy yet.”
“I must agree.” Grover Sharplen spoke sharply. “Either we are full members with this opportunity, or our membership is a sham.”
Ragnar Magnusson glared at the Taurian. “You’re not prepared to wait six years - or three if there’s still no Captain-General by our next meeting?”
“Why should we?” was the pugnacious response.
William Blane cleared his throat. “I believe the Protector speaks too forcefully. While I would prefer that we be viable candidates, I don’t insist on it. May I suggest a vote on the matter?”
“Seconded." agreed Magestrix Emma Centrella. “If the vote goes against, we can wait.”
Gavin Dow glanced around and saw no response. “Very well. Although if we continue to add provisional members then this may extend eligibility quite significantly.”
Julius O’Reilly smiled thinly. “For one, I am willing to wait. If it is acceptable to Commander Wolf’s delegations, let the vote be over whether the reset of eligibility takes place before or after the current full members of the Star League have had their chance.”
“Commander Wolf?”
“One moment please." the bearded mercenary requested and turned to his colleagues.
Isis wouldn’t have had to try very hard to listen but her attention was caught by Caesar Steiner entering the room. The General of Armies was trying not to be obtrusive but it was hard for him to avoid notice as he made his way through the various aides behind Peter Steiner-Davion and caught the Archon-Prince’s attention.
“What’s that about?” asked Ardal Thomasson.
“I’m not sure." Isis answered quietly, watching as Caesar held out a document for their host to read. Peter’s face was harder to read than it had been a few years ago, but he still had some tells. “Not good news, but I don’t think he’s surprised - more resigned.”
“Precentor-Martial.” Jaime Wolf had finished the hasty discussion - if nothing else, the various members of the Martial Alliance were accustomed to making quick decisions. “We accept the Imperator’s proposal.”
“Very well.” Dow leaned forward slightly. “A vote of aye will specify that eligibility to be elected as First Star Lord will reset after representatives of the Free Worlds League, Federated Commonwealth, Taurian Concordat, Magistracy of Canopus and Word of Blake have either served or declined the opportunity. The deferral this year by the Free Worlds does not serve as declining for future elections in this cycle. Does anyone wish to expand on this?”
No one spoke up and Dow nodded. “A vote of nay will effectively elect Lord Steiner-Davion to serve for the next three years with the Captain-General to serve for the following three years, if there is one. If there is no single Captain-General by the Fifth Conference, then the eligibility will reset immediately. Your votes please?”
Peter Steiner-Davion handed the document he was holding to Tancred Sandoval. “Abstain." he declared clearly.
Isis frowned, as did many others. “Aye." she voted, as did Sun-Tzu Liao and all three of the new votes. Only Theodore Kurita and Ragnar Magnusson opposed.
Five to two, she realized. Voting against would have failed, and potentially alienated votes for the coming election. And voting for was voting against his own candidacy. He read the council well.
“Motion passes." confirmed Gavin Dow. “Do we have a nomination?”
“The Word of Blake nominates Archon-Prince Peter Steiner-Davion.” William Blane projected his voice clearly. “He has proven both his ability as a leader, and a willingness to work with other realms. His decision not to take advantage of the Free Worlds League’s current situation speaks to his principles, and he is unflinching in prosecuting war against the Clans. He is the most fit of all the candidates.”
“He doesn’t seem to be doing so well with that last war." observed Sun-Tzu. “How deeply have the Wolves cut into the Commonwealth now? They’re going through their tame cousins easily enough.”
Peter met the Chancellor’s venom with a weary smile. “Clan Wolf’s warriors have bypassed Hamilton." he replied quietly. “We estimate a force of between two and three galaxies will land on Arc-Royal by the end of the week. However, Clan Jade Falcon is in full retreat and we’ve taken back almost as many worlds as the Smoke Jaguars ever held. If Vladimir Ward wants to call that a victory, it’s not one that he can afford.”
Isis glanced at Santin West of the Nova Cats and then at Bjorn Jorgensen and Aletha Kabrinski of the Ghost Bears. Neither of the three Khans present seemed at all upset at that outcome or at the Word of Blake Precentor’s clear antagonism for the Clans in general.
“I second the nomination." she said and then realized she’d spoken in unintended unison with Ragnar Magnusson. The prince winked at her as he came to the same realization. “Jointly, it would seem.”
“All those in favor." Gavin Dow instructed, “Vote aye.”
Peter’s vote, my own, Ragnar and the Blakists, thought Isis. Half the eight votes are in favor. He needs one more - or ComStar to break the tie in his favor.
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