ALR (ATwT) Chpt 15

==A Legacy Reforged (ATwT) - Chapter 15 ==
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
----
===Meeting===
Royal Court of House Sandoval
Castle Sandoval, Robinson 
Draconis March Federated Suns
23rd October, 3121
Within the Royal Court of House Sandoval on the world of Robinson deep within the fortress Castle Sandoval, Duke Jerome Sandoval sat nervously the recent arrival of First Prince Burton Davion and the First Davion Guards Regimental Combat Team on the world had caused his nervousness. The Sandoval family were one that was in mourning following the recent death of Duke Duncan Sandoval and much of the Second Robinson Rangers fighting the Draconis Combine, Duncan was his cousin the son of Tarncred Sandoval and the younger brother of Duchess Elaine Sandoval the person Jerome had taken leadership of the Draconis March.
The door opened and First Prince Burton Davion leader of the Federated Suns entered the throne room of the Sandoval Family, as close to the Draconis Combine as they were the throne room had décor like that found within the Draconis Combine with a minimalistic and Japanese styles but with a Terran European flair instead of the straight Asian influence found in the Draconis Combine border worlds. Unlike his father Burton Davion had grown into a large man who despite having a regrown leg and an artificial arm was very fit and muscled. Even under the standard Field Marshal uniform he wore Jerome Sandoval could not feel but intimidated watching him march in. The First Prince was in his late fifties but his brown/blonde hair was only showing a little grey around the sides where a MechWarrior’s neuralhelmet contacted his head, otherwise he looked healthy unravaged by time. Jerome Sandoval on the other hand was now in his seventies and quite a bit overweight, he had gotten comfortable after securing his seat on Robinson.
“Welcome to Robinson, First Prince Davion.” Jerome greeted his leader rising briefly.
“Thank you, Duke Sandoval, my condolences on your personal loss Duncan was a promising young commander. It was a terrible situation your Second Robinson Rangers got into on An Ting.” He said “I would have thought he would have consulted the DMI reports which put a Sword of Light Regiment on that world with full WarShip support.” He said standing away from the Duke.
“Yes, that was a mistake…”
“A mistake to open a second front against another Succession State when we are already engaged with the Capellans!” Burton snapped taking several steps to his left “Exactly what was the plan?”
“You would have to ask the commander of…” the Duke began to explain...
“HE’S DEAD!” Burton snapped angrily losing his temper, his anger brought the attention of the two guards who stood outside who opened the door to check what was happening. “HE’S FINE UNLIKE THE RCT HE SENT AGAINST THE DRACONIS ****** COMBINE!” The First Prince shouted angrily walking towards the doors both guards made a hastily retreat. Burton Davion turned back towards the Duke of the Draconis March. “Do you know why I am here?” He asked the other man allowing his anger to calm a little.
“To investigate the loss of the Second Robinson and Duncan…”
“Why am I here personally?” Davion asked interrupting him “Orders were intercepted, by people loyal to me, that came from YOUR OFFICE to the Second’s command bunker ordering them to make the assault.” He stated “you killed your cousin and possibly started a new conflict with the Draconis Combine for what?” He asked angrily moving towards the Duke, “to eliminate a political rival?” He asked stepping closer “Duncan was becoming popular recently calling you out for stealing his place on this world.”
“He was young and inexperienced he was in no place to take over this March, he lacked the experience and the support. I am holding this March together for the Federated Suns.”
“By killing its people,” Burton challenged “you’re hurting the Federated Suns. It was bad enough with your antics that caused the deaths on Marduk.” He said angrily seeing Jerome’s surprise. “What? Do you really think that a March Lord spending money on buying Capellan-made equipment wouldn’t go unnoticed? It took the DMI a long time to piece it all together, we thought it was for a false flag operation of some kind aimed much higher.” Burton said walking across the Throne Room the DMI had found out about the funds being spent in the Draconis March and thought it was going to be used as a private mercenary force, or to circumvent the number of forces the March was allowed. Intelligence even suggested that they could be used to spark a war with the Capellan Confederation which likewise may end up with forces limits being increased or worse for a headhunting attack against New Avalon and the First Prince. “Weren’t we surprised when we learned that the only reason you had bought that equipment was to destroy the Order of Sortek, you spent a sizable portion of your personal wealth to destroy a nothing unit.”
“They are traitors, showboating to acting like they are everyone’s friend and saviors, like they knew better and had been taught better. It was bad enough when they were based off New Avalon.” Jerome said defensively “who do they think they are traveling throughout the Federated Suns spreading their Capellan teachings. Your father and then you made a mistake harboring them! And worse you gave them a world!”
“A world we took from the Draconis Combine, a world that is still on the border and vulnerable to invasion.” Burton pointed out “but, you, YOU were jealous of them and decided that they needed to what pay for what you believed to be a slight on your authority?” 
“They needed to be shown that they were not invulnerable and to stay within their designated space.” Jerome said weekly.
“And yet AFTER you attack them, they continued to send warriors throughout the Federated Suns recruiting more warriors and spreading their teachings.” The First Prince pointed out walking back to the center of the room facing Jerome Sandoval who had shrunk back into his throne. “They were acting with my authority.” He said looking at the Draconis March Duke, “your office was informed that they had my authority.”
“I… I… wasn’t aware” he stammered looking down.
“As a March Lord of the Federated Suns it is your duty to pay attention to these things.” He said calmer Jerome’s face had not left staring at the floor in front of Burton’s feet. “But it is also something that we could overlook.” He said as the man glanced up “something I HAVE overlooked for three years, but then today comes.”
“Today” he whispered “today I got my cousin killed.”
“Because he was going to be a challenge to your rule, a rule you inherited from Elaine and that you promised her that Duncan or her son would inherit one day.” He reminded the man “have you forgotten that, Jerome? You PROMISED her.” He drummed into the Duke who appeared to be sinking into his chair Duncan Sandoval was Elaine’s younger brother he had been twenty when he had died, Elaine’s own children were at their oldest in their teenage years. “So, I’m forced to look away from the Capellans and make a change here, you’re out of that seat and off Robinson.” He said Jerome was not “Return to Dahar for all I care.” Burton said the Sandoval family held near dominance total dominance on that world along with a couple of others beyond Robinson in the Draconis March.
“What about Robinson?” Jerome asked not moving immediately. “Corwin is gaining experience but he isn’t ready, I could…”
“No, your son will not step up and no you will not assist the new leadership.” Burton stated shutting down that plan immediately. “Elaine will take charge again.” The First Prince stated “...and this time unlike when you arrived and were so happy to take command, I will do what you should have done and support her.” He stated seeing Jerome not moving “Duke Sandoval, move your arse, NOW!” Burton snapped having enough of him not moving, he had all but assassinated Duncan by sending him to An Ting, a victory there would have been a huge one but without a full invasion force it had been hopeless.
Duke Jerome Sandoval did not make eye contact with the First Prince as he almost slid off the throne and walked out a side door of the Throne Room. Burton reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out a hand-held “General, come in now.” He said before putting it back moments later the main doors opened and in entered the fifty-three-year-old Leftenant-General Canin McKinnon, unlike his more famous father Ross McKinnon Canin had so far had a quiet career commanding McKinnon’s Raiders Regiment they had raided the Draconis Combine regularly but due to the size that the command had grown to it did not have the exploits of the old Fox’s Teeth Company. “General, clean this House, I want this Castle secured by the time that Elaine and her family return. You’ll have your regiment and an additional battalion of Rabid Fox to assist.”
“Understood, sir, I’ll transfer anyone we have concerns with and reinforce things in the March and watch for any adventures by the Combine.” He promised the First Prince for the last twenty years the Fox’s Teeth had served in various places in the Draconis and Capellan March, they knew their enemies well.
“I wouldn’t blame them after that idiot’s actions.” He said glancing at the door now feeling drained of energy the adrenaline from the confrontation gone. “I need to go to Marduk.”
“Is that wise?” General asked.
“Probably not.” Burton admitted “We owe them an explanation; I owe them I’ve owed them something for three years.” The First Prince said walking back out the main door leaving the Leftenant-General behind in the throne room alone, he was used to field tents and command bunkers not the very oriental flavored House Sandoval throne room.
----
<<Previous Chapter - Return to Story Index - Next Chapter>>
Chapter 15