IDGL-8

=Ian Davion, Golden Lion=
==Chapter 8 – Focht on the Rim==
===On Canopus===
11/01/3040 - Location: Canopus, Magistracy of Canopus
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“Precentor Martial please follow me.”  Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht followed the flamboyantly dressed Canopian man through the perfumed halls of the Crimson Palace of Canopus.  His own white and gold uniform was crisp but scorching hot in the heat of the tropical city. 
The gray Zouve dressed Iron Hand of Raventhir guards watched them as they approached a large door their weapons held in front of them at the ready.  Two of them opened the door as they neared it and let the bright light of stained glass windows into the previous dark and warm corridor. 
Magestrix Emma Centrella reclined on a pillowed futon wearing a very revealing sari type garment.  A fan was blowing across her causing her honey brown hair to fly back from her face and keep her cool though you could see some sweat coming down her exotic and glamorous body just like an ancient queen in the holovids. 
She was currently being attended by six older women wearing crimson clothes, with a snap of her fingers the women were dismissed and departed via doors along the back wings of the room.
Emma beckoned him forward causing a series of gold bangles to clink against one another.  Anastasius Focht walked forward and his escort walked backward into the door they just entered.  His boots clacked on the colorful mosaics which melded into the colored light of the stained glass windows propped open in the heat.  He stopped slightly forward the slightly raised platform roughly ten paces from the woman.  “So what brings Comstar's Precentor Martial in the flesh all the way to the rim and my humble little realm?”
“I am inspecting the new ComGuard formations in the Magistracy.  I understand that you pushed back on the Primus regarding our purely defensive formations.” Focht told her
“Purely defensive” she scoffed, “even a demi-company of your ComGuards could overpower most of my depleted world's defenses and I only accepted their continued existence under threat of extortion."
“But they won't and have standing orders to aid the planetary garrison as long as it doesn't endanger their core mission.  I apologize on the behalf of the Blessed Order, Precentor Canopus was out of line with his crass methods.  His removal and a change of top leadership; will I hope give us a clean slate.  Additionally I come bearing a gift for you to show that we are sincere.  May I approach?.”
Emma sat up and patted one of the pillows beside her, “You may sit beside me if you wish, or more.” Emma coyly suggested.
The gruff Focht slowly shook his head, “No, this is business.  I'm afraid I shall have to decline your hospitality.”
“All business and no fun.  Are you certain you are not a Steiner?”
The former Frederick Steiner was mildly insulted but he had spent the past ten years in a DCMS prison camp and had learned how to not show it.  “You prefer the Davions I hear.”
Magestrix Centrella stood straight up, “Damn right I do!  Romano Liao ordered that MAC to attack Canopus an attack that we barely repulsed.  Duchess Candace Liao and Lady Arano remain my most stalwart allies in an Inner Sphere filled with pretty words and petty politics.”
Focht remained calm during the fiery woman's rant, “Well I assure you that while this agreement is quite pretty it is sincere and Comstar continues to be dedicated to the bigger picture with no space for pettiness.”
Emma regained control and sat back down.  “Apologies, Precentor Martial, that was improper to do to a distinguished guest though I am not certain how to properly quantify you.  Comstar has never had a Precentor Martial or such a large public military force, it is all quite new.”
Anastasius walked up to her and handed her a verigraph protected case.  “No worries, Magestrix.  I am figuring it out myself.  There have been many changes and more to come.  It will be a difficult transition but hopefully a worthy one.  This has already been approved by Gamma branch.  The long forms were transmitted to the Delphi HPG yesterday from Terra.”
The Magestrix opened a small port on the case and put her thumb on the contact plate.  The case unlocked and disengaged the incendiary charge that would have destroyed its contacts in the event of a breach.  She looked through them intently while Focht spoke.  “With this preferential deal extended to Mindstar Entertainment you should be able to better service your mother's debts.  Additionally support for a MRB hiring hall on Hardcore, upgrading Canopus' HPG to an A class station, and more jumpship traffic should bring more business into your lap.”
Emma looked back at him, “With that rate I will be able to be free and clear in five years.  My lap.  How about yours?”
The Precentor Martial shook his head again, this woman was too much. “My lap shall remain unoccupied, Magestrix Centrella.”
She gave a slightly disappointed sigh and pout, “If you insist.  However, if you change your mind I will be right here.  Are you certain there is nothing else that I can do for you?”
“No. That is quite enough, Magestrix.  I have business to attend to with Precentor Ribiero.”
===On Taurian===
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12/08/3040 - Location: Calderon Hall on Taurus, Taurian Concordat
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Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht walked into a security checkpoint within the Taurian Concordat's executive mansion.  “Arms up, Precentor Martial.”  The Concordat Marshal wanded him and Precentor Sikandar.  They cleared the checkpoint and were still following one of the clerks that worked in this building.
“The Protector is mighty paranoid, Precentor Martial.  Third checkpoint we've had to walk through.”
“He thinks Quintus Allard is trying to kill him.” asked Focht
“Personally?” asked Sikandar
“No.  He's not quite that obsessed to think that the Head of MIIO would personally give him a visit.  Far to busy dealing with Seneca and Romano's Mask for that kind of endeavor.”
“Its not like it would get him anyhow.  The TDF can launch raids at the Victoria PDZ but can't overextended or take any advantage of a breakthrough due to a paucity of Jumpships.  So why are we dealing with him again?”
Anastasius whispered to Sikander, “The ComGuards wouldn't exist without the Concordat.  I can't talk about it, but our Blessed Order is having to put our thumb on the scales to maintain balance in the Inner Sphere.  Hanse Davion is upsetting the equilibrium of the Inner Sphere and giving the Primus in particular fits.”
Focht and Cali continued walking through the narrow halls of Calderon Hall.  The dark wood lacked any decoration beyond portraits of several Protectors and illustrious Marshals.  Their guide departed and left them in front of the Protector's study.  The door opened and a member of the Far Lookers departed from the office.  The tall man walked proudly out his business suit crisp and classically styled, he identified as an Inheritor by his affiliation medallion.
“Blake's Blessings upon you, Precentor Martial.”
“Upon you as well.  Who are you, sir?”
“I am Lord Gabriel Gaer of the Carthage Collective, though many call me Lord Ga-ga.  I sensed that you would come here soon when I set out from the rim.  All the signs point to the end for the Great Houses.  The inheritors would be willing to help Comstar put everything back together as it should be.”
“I thought all orders of the Far Lookers were on the Protector's bad side considering the massive upheaval and fraud of the past years.”
“True, we have lost some of our standing but, Lady Katherine is among my order's number.  The Inheritors were not involved with the investment malfeasance over the years.  We have continued to politically support Thomas' Protectorship at the expense of our standing among our peers in many cases.”
“Bold statement and yet a strong sign of integrity.  Perhaps we shall speak again, Lord Gaga.”
“You have a standing invitation to Carthage should you ever wish, Precentor Martial Focht.  Now I would not keep the Protector waiting he's gets unpleasant ideas if there is a delay.”
Gabriel departed and Cali opened the door for Anastasius before following behind.  Protector Thomas Calderon and his eldest son and heir-apparent 19 year old Jonah Calderon on world with his cadet class from the Concordat Aerospace Flight School currently doing a rotation at École Militaire.  Both men shared a strong resemblance dusky skin and curly black hair though Jonah was wearing a leather bomber jacket and only tangentially interested in what was going on.
“Protector of Taurus Thomas Calderon, Blake's Blessings upon you and your distinguished family.”
“I don't like the mystic or flowery talk.  I am not a Far Looker or that tart of a Magestrix that needs to be flattered.  We speak plainly here.  Why are you here, Anastasius?”
“As I mentioned before I landed I am inspecting the ComGuard garrisons and speaking with the leaders of the Four Periphery Realms as one of my first tours as Precentor Martial, I have already rotated through the Alliance, Republic, and Magistracy.  We are also looking at partnerships to expand our number and provide better service to our loyal customers.  The Order and your Realm have had disagreements in the past.”
“Putting it lightly, We Taurians have a proud tradition of defying Terra's influence.  We are a self-reliant people.”
''
“Yes and I come bearing a few tokens from Terra that I hope will dismiss any concerns you have about our intentions with the HPGs in your territory; and increase that self-reliance.  We hope you will accept these boons as a down payment for partnership in our goals.”
“What do you want from the Concordat, Precentor Martial?”
“I have several contracts for your industries to provide equipment for the ComGuards.  Additionally we would appreciate one of your worlds hosting a supply depot and another a naval repair yard for our people.  The Concordat is a far away from Terra and defense of our dispersed enclaves is an increasing priority in these uncertain times.  So it is not what we want from you but how can we serve your needs better, Protector?  I have a few tokens of our sincerity from Terra for you if you would like to entertain them.”
“That sounds like a trick, Precentor Martial.  When did Comstar become so gracious?”
“The Primus believes that new blood in the organization combined with a new outlook will bring us greater opportunities.  We are attempting a new fairer approach to business in light of that and I am authorized to provide a few gifts for the leaders of some Realms.” 
Precentor Focht presented a verigraphed metal document case to the Precentor who looked at it for a moment before opening it and paging over the letters.  “You can't really expect that I would allow you to take two of my children to Terra with you for brainwashing?”
“We do not brainwash in Comstar, Protector Calderon, we enlighten.  Your son Felix has expressed interest in joining our Blessed Order already as you likely know.”
“My son is confused.” the Protected commented
Jonah who was only mildly paying attention cut in after taking a look at the documents, “Dad, this may be the only chance Janice has to get better.  Precentor Martial Focht can Kappa Branch actually treat the Brisbane Virus?”
Anastasius Focht looked at the young man as paternally as possible.  He was concerned about his sister which was a noble thing and like he expected a perfect opportunity.  “While I am no expert in the medical field Cadet Calderon I have been assured that they will try.  A Dove is due to arrive on New Vandenberg with a crew from the Kappa branch partnered with the Luxen MSTC sometime in the coming months.  It might take time but she will have access to the best doctors in the Inner Sphere if she comes with me to Terra.”
Despite his son's intentions he didn't know enough about Terran perfidy yet for Thomas.  “It still doesn't explain why you need, Felix.”
Focht focused on the Protector look intently as his prosthetic left eye.  It was an old and crude model far inferior to his own which had been recently installed to replace the one lost in his near suicidal attack on the Combine years ago.  That realistic prosthetic was concealed under an eyepatch but Frederick Steiner had adjusted to its absence and it was intimidating to common people.  “I am told that your son Felix is a bright boy and wishes to join Comstar since you have effectively dismantled the Far Lookers Explorer Branch due to their financial improprieties.  The process greatly upset his ambitions to map the stars.  The Comstar Explorer Corps facility at the University of Aphros around Venus would be happy to take him in and allow him to pursue his dreams."
"It would also allow Janice to have a friendly face to visit though I am certain she will find people at the London Royal Hospital while taking classes at the Royal University nearby."
"Young man, what do you think about this?  They are your sister and brother as well.”
Jonah was shocked at being addressed directly; still growing into the role of Heir-apparent after his sister's recent incapacitation. He hadn't been asked for his opinion frequently yet due to his father's controlling and paranoid mentality.  Jonah faced his father, “I think that Janice and Felix would accept this opportunity if presented father.  Jeffery might be mildly upset but he is only fourteen he has time to find his own way.”
“Fine you go and tell them then, Jonah.  The Precentor Martial and I have another point of business to attend.  I will catch up with you later.”
“Thank you, Father.  It is not everyday Comstar comes bearing gifts.”   The young man excused himself and exited the study to inform his siblings of their impending journey when Precentor Martial Focht began heading coreward in March.
With him gone the Protector looked down the room.  “Now concerning this technical exchange.  How do I know your Omega team will not take advantage of their sensitive access to S2IRP (Sterope Special Industrial Research Project)?”
“Cali, please reassure the Protector that you are not a ROM spy.”
Precentor Omega VII Caligula Sikander's white cape swished as he stepped forward, “Well I am not certain I can prove I am not a ROM spy but I can prove that my team knows their stuff.  I know you are no engineering expert Thomas, but I am.  If you would take a look at this please.”
The Precentor handed the man a data-pad with engineering diagrams for tooling and components that would improve the Concordat's heavy industries.  “I think you will find that my access to your program is a risk worth taking.  My working group can do a lot for your people.  We already have some plans on the drawing board that might interest your people.”
Protector Thomas Calderon looked over the data and asked questions.  “Enjoy your stay in the Concordat Caligula.  Omega Group will keep in touch.  Lord Protector Thomas, I hope you will consider these as a down payment for a bright new future for your Realm.”
----
===On Terra===
05/01/3041 - 05:58 - Location – Hilton Head, Terra
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The lights were on in Primus Myndo Waterly's quarters on the reclaimed island of Hilton Head now one of COMSTARs many glittering clusters that echoed the Golden Age of the Star League on humanity's home-world.  The Primus herself was on top of her Precentor Martial and vigorously rocking her hips as she straddled him.
“You can't take an extended leave ever again Precentor Martial.  I won't allow it.” she told him
She finished and he pushed her off him which resulted in her getting tied up in the sheets for a moment, “Madam Primus, the responsibilities of duty may require me to leave once more without your accompaniment.”
Myndo attempted to untangle herself but Anastasius held onto it, she didn't seem to mind. “And if I were to remove you from that duty and replace it with another?”
Focht released her, “I would be greatly displeased and your own pleasure might suffer as a result.  Do you really want that?”
The woman untangled herself and leaned on her elbow naked torso revealed, “You make a strong case, Frederick.  I suppose I can allow it but not for a little while at least...Don't get too comfortable though I can always find another silver fox to satisfy me."
“An acceptable compromise, Myndo.  I don't believe there is an urgent need for my presence elsewhere in the Inner Sphere at present so consider my talents at your service.” Focht told her
“Good to have you back Precentor Martial.  You're back on your ranked duty in two hours.” she told him
“Appreciate you giving the old man a breather, Primus.  You'd just hate for him to have a heart attack in the presence of such a spirited lady.  Questions might be asked.”
Myndo got up from the bed and walked over to the bathroom, her upper body turned to him. “Doubtful.  No one asked about what happened to Julien before you.  Yes that reminds me I would like you to get that ticker of yours checked out at the clinic, Precentor Martial.  I don't want you kicking out early after being away for so long.  I don't feel like I have gotten my money's worth out of you yet.”
“Of course, Myndo.”  He leaned forward and looked at his reflection in the mirror that caught the morning sun just right.  His torso was covered in scars from his time as a 'guest' of the DCMS on Algedi and long service in the LCAF prior.  His hair had just changed from blonde to gray but remained high and tight.  His blue cyber-eye was almost indistinguishable from its original yet he still covered it up, he rubbed his jaw still square despite all the abuse it suffered.  “That would be great tragedy for both of us.” 
He could hear the shower turn on and departed the room to the alternate one.  It felt dirty to sleep with his boss but she was just as passionate at that as she was in her ambitions for Comstar.  He also hadn't lost a step during his detention much to his own surprise.  Precentor Martial Focht washed, shaved, redressed, and ate breakfast in time for the morning briefing.
The Primus, Precentor Martial, and Precentor ROM Charles Seneca gathered in front of the sleek white plastic holotable each had recently been away from Terra on a special mission and had arrived on schedule as planned.  Charles Senaca, an entirely plain man of average build and thus a perfect spy was given the floor first.
“Primus Waterly, Precentor Martial Focht.  As you know the Explorer Corps believe they have found one of the coreward supply depots used by the Wolf's Dragoons.  My men were dispatched to investigate and found this.”
He inserted a datacard into the reader and a projection of a derelict Warship and a pair of jumpships.  “This warship is one of the SLDF Volga line of Transports, it is marked CWS Provider.  The helium seals were broken and it looks like the Dragoons pulled everything of use off of it and purged its database.  Mu Branch is attempting to piece together the recovered data-core for anything related to its origin.  The Faslane-Class Yardship Core Seeker is en route to provide greater technical support and possibly salvage the derelict.”
Primus Waterly was enthralled by the poor state of the Volga transport, “They must have traveled a far distance in that piece of junk.  Amazing they got here with the few Warships they have in decent condition.”
Focht zoomed in a rotated the image, “Indeed, unfortunately we have not had to opportunity to see the Dragoon's warships engage any force in their time in the Inner Sphere.  I am thinking they might be paper tigers unlike our own.”  Another vessel, the Dante-Class frigate White Wing, currently being assembled in the Titan Yards around Saturn replaced the derelict, “If not though the Dante, Faslane, and Carrack programs are underway once more according to Titan.”
Seneca looked toward him, “I still don't know about the Carrack's Precentor Martial.  Its just a simple transport.”
“Precisely and it shall draw little attention to itself because of that. Our ComGuards greatest advantage is our strategic mobility, Charles.  Comstar controls the largest Jumpship fleet in the Inner Sphere but we are widely dispersed and these vessels are vulnerable to the Successor States growing Aerospace Corps.  The Carrack transports will be able to dissuade any aggression on our troops even without a Dante." 
"With the potential ceasefire between the Commonwealth, League, and Suns we may have to go through heavy aerospace defenses in order to make planetfall should it prove necessary.  Hanse Davion has begun making major investments in the old McKenna Yards around Galax, Melissa Steiner is renovating Alarion's Port Sydney Yards, and Thomas Marik is using the Helm Core data to update the Technicron ones above Tamarind." 
"If they can restart limited Warship production in the next twenty years we must be prepared, we have a head start but are not within sight of the finish line yet.  Holy Shroud has held them back this long but it is not doing so anymore.” Focht told them.
Primus Waterly looked at the two of them, “And what of all the mothballed ships at Luyten, Odessa, and Ross.”
Focht stood tall against his successor, the slight man was cowed by the still vital Warrior before him but it wouldn't last forever, he was a wily creature and if he sensed weakness he might attempt to take the Precentor Martialship.  “I had inspected them personally with members of the Order of Valkyries and Omega Research Group when I was Precentor ROM.  The Chief Architect at the Titan Yards doesn't think we can bring any of them out of mothballs at a reasonable cost or timetable.”
Precentor ROM Senaca cut in annoyed at the rude interruption, “We can however use them as parts for new construction, such a thing should reduce the cost of each new vessel to a more reasonable unit price that the Phi Branch can stomach.  It will require additional Faslanes however to speed along the process for the larger vessels and a massive recruitment effort in the technical groups for crew and labor."
"We might be able to poach some of the engineers working on the Houses' programs to begin it in earnest.  Once we start it will be difficult to stop without decay however Primus.  Already Primus York's original laborers from the first Dante build in the Titan Yards had to be brought in to train their replacements.  It will take time for the White Wing to be complete although it was partially finished before funding ran out.”
"Time we may not have.  Nevertheless well said Precentor Seneca." 
"I am hesitant to invest so much treasure into the Warship program.  If we are discovered it would cause a major arms race that I don't think we could win while we are honoring our agreement with Theodore, Thomas, and Haakon."
"The Draconis Combine, Taurian Concordat, and Free Rasalhague Republic are all in dire need of investment from our Blessed Order and despite our recent windfalls these things need to be properly resourced.”
Charles looked toward the former Combine citizen Myndo, who had received high praise from the Dragon's covert service before she jointed Comstar to protest something they did poorly to a friend. “Did you manage to secure Minoru Kurita for the Order, Primus?”
The woman pulled up a 3d picture of her Theodore, the 12 year old Minoru, and his older sister Omiko on Dieron.  “Yes, Theodore reluctantly supports his son's voluntary admission to our Order as a price for our continued support.  The boy is still very young but, will take up residence in Fortress Dieron until his transfer here for further training and orientation.  I am told that Krupt, Martinson, and Skoebel will begin their tech transfers when that begins but in the meantime are providing spares to refurbish our White Army while supplying surplus goods at a steep discount to the Dragon.”
“Thomas Calderon's son Felix has also joined our Order, he is currently being oriented on Aphros Station as a member of the Explorer Corps.  His daughter Janice is in London receiving treatment for her Brisbane Virus.  Thomas will be easier to control now that we have two of his children under our care.  Not that we have to do much beside point him at Hanse Davion and let him fly into a paranoid rage but it helps if he thinks we are on his side.”
“So there is no intention to treat Janice Calderon in London?”
“No, we will treat the young woman and her fellow afflicted to our highest ability because Kappa Group needs to get practice dealing with these kinds of issues if we are to expand our offerings and network at the HPG Stations.”
“I suppose it will cost less than a new Battlemech so there is little trouble there.”
Precentor Martial Focht stood up, “Speaking of which I am due to head to the Mountains of Madness in an hour and would like to get ready.  If there are further lines of conversation I will be happy to continue our talk from my shuttle.”
Myndo stood up as well and faced him, “Please don't allow our chatter to interfere with your responsibilities elsewhere.  You are dismissed, Blake's Blessings upon you.  I would just like to speak with Precentor Seneca about our uninvited guests, The Wolf's Dragoons more.”
“Very well, Primus, Precentor ROM.  See you both at a later time.”
----
The desolate and snow covered plains of Terra's Queen Mab Mountains on Antarctica greeted Precentor Martial Focht as he departed in a heated snow creeper.  The bitter cold and darkness were offset, but the fusion reactors and task lighting of the ComGuards Southern Storage and Refurbishment Depot, aka The Mountains of Madness.  The buggy rode into the sealed and heated garage joining dozens of similar vehicles.  The Precentor Martial and his aides stepped out in their bright orange high visibility coats with inner heating coils.  A middle aged man wearing the ComGuards Zeta Precentor patch on his shoulder with XII. “Right this way, Precentor Martial.”
Focht followed the man through the winding passages to a large hanger dug into the deep rock of the range.  Before him were rows upon rows of damaged Battlemechs and Tanks left behind by Kerensky during his Exodus.  All were stripped down to their white primer coat and the front row had technicians in Exoskeletons, Industrial Mechs, and operating atop regular repair vehicles. 
Most of the combat units were terribly damaged but parts were sourced from Terra or cannibalized from other units if necessary.  “This is truly astounding architecture and operations-wise, Precentor Sound.”
“Yes, the Hanger is one of the lost wonders of the Star League's Department Of Mega Engineering.  Perfect place to store lost treasures and insulated from observation in all spectra.  Little nippy but you get used to it, the jacket helps.”
“Would you like the grand tour of our facility sir?” asked Sound
“Absolutely.  Glad we can finally begin making some progress on this mess.” Focht answered
“Aye, me too.  Its not right to keep these War Machines locked up for centuries.  They were built to fight.  We should let them perform their purpose.”
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