WoWS3 Chpt 34

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==Weapons of War Saga: The Final March- Chapter 34 - ==
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===Flawed Parenting===
Levin’s office, The Bullet
City of Geneva, Europe 
Terra, Republic of the Sphere
12th October, 3144
“It is confirmed. The Wall is functioning at only sixty percent efficiency. So far we’ve been lucky but if we keep maintaining it at this level it will collapse. We’re not sure what is causing it.” Major Clark Benning reported.
“Cut the perimeter in half. We need to keep ourselves protected for a while longer.” Exarch Jonah Levin ordered. “What do you have, Minister Vandercook?”
“No doubt about it. HPGs in the region of Prefecture III are starting to show odd behaviors. What is most interesting is they seem to almost be coming back online but not able to transmit yet.” Vandercook told him.
“I want a Ghost Knight to depart for Northwind and start investigating. If someone is mucking about with the HPG grid I want to know. The last thing we need is some uncoordinated hobbyist trying their own solution and collapsing what little is left of the functioning HPG grid entirely.”, Levin stated.
“The Wolves have taken Dieron. Exarch, we need allies. We should send out some of our forces now, while we can, as a show of goodwill that we can be counted on to assist our allies and it will also give our troops some much needed real combat experience. Sims can only take them so far.” Paladin Janelle Lakewood urged.
“Davion. They’re the only ones who we can make such a gesture towards right now. Put together a force to help them. A good mix so we can get the experience but enough combat veterans that they have a good solid core and achieve victory. Focus on the Combine for worlds to take since they are slightly distracted with Alaric’s claiming of Dieron. Follow up with a diplomatic mission to the Free Worlds League. After they see we honor our promises like that it should be possible to get some support from them as well. Dismissed.” Levin ordered
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===Learning to be human woman===
Royal Palace, Triad
Tharkad, Lyran Commonwealth
13th October, 3144
"It's not the Kelswa-Steiners, and we've confirmed Vedet Brewer doesn't have the pull." Archon Trillian Steiner-Davion began, "Kommandant Reiner Hogarth's preparations would've been an excuse, but Lohengrin agents loyal to ME have eliminated him as a possible because he's not stupid."
"Who does that leave then?" Roderick Steiner was recovering. "We've gone through our most likely suspects, every group that participated that we've taken as prisoners say it's a different sponsor…"
“A perfect storm. It very well could be we have the worst luck and thus the perfect luck in our foes all making plays at the same time…” Trillian frowned.
"There's a simpler answer." Roderick mused, "I don't believe in 'luck' that extensive, but I do believe in lying."
“Likely, but it does seem clear more than one faction was at play, as there were clearly different, non-compatible objectives sought by some of the rebellious forces.”
"Are they really more than one faction if everyone's following a central plan?" Roddy asked. "What's our common thread? Priss and I were delayed because she wanted to have a look at the space port…randomly delayed. It wasn't on the itinerary. YOU were exactly where you were supposed to be, when you were supposed to be there."
"What are you suggesting?" Trillian asked.
"Lots of property damage, so far one friendly fatality and a few injuries…and lots of dead traitors who'd been plotting treason independently. What does that sound like, Trill?"
“My worst nightmare.”, Trillian said
"I'm about to make it worse. We need to investigate LIC and Lohengrin, and when we do, we'll need to arrest friends." Rodrick enunciated, "This was tripping the bomb early to keep it from getting effective. Our enemies were duped into acting so you can purge them, that tells me it's a Loyalist, and they've got sources inside our security."
“That is troubling indeed. In such an action how can we be sure who to trust though?”
"Well, who doesn't gain one way or the other? Most palace coups in history have been by loyal men in the civil service...McKenna didn't overthrow the Terran Alliance because he was ambitious, he did it because they were coming apart. So you vetted the potential traitors, but fanatics in our own camp? Those guys might do it to 'help you focus' and 'eliminate obstacles', you're the Archon, I'm just an heir, and Priss was effectively an outsider who could be lost without harm in that kind of thinking."
“So I need to tap someone who is loyal, but not a fanatic. Someone who can go after these people, while potentially outnumbered, and succeed.” Trillian commented
"A choke-chain, Trill." he said, "We need our loyalist, but we don't need them pulling this kind of shit-you need to choke down on your supporters in a way that keeps them, while preventing this from happening again."
“A message that I am Archon. That I can forgive but I also rule with strength.”
"Yes. Also you've got to make sure you don't Romano Liao or Alessandro Steiner." he nodded painfully.
“Quite possibly my biggest challenge. I wonder how Helena deals with this…”
“Doesn’t matter. This is your realm. Not hers. So the solution must be yours.” Roderick commented
"Ich Bin Lyraner…" Trillian mused, "Roddy, keep healing. I need to catch a shuttle."
“Do I want to know where you’re going?” Roderick asked
"Yes, I'm going to visit Helena's orbiting destroyer, and have a talk with a Lyran citizen who's afraid to come down to the planet. It's time I made it clear I'm more active than Mel…and you're in charge down here until I get back, so get comfy, your meetings will be coming to you."
“Oh joy of joys…I get to be miserable in my recovery bed.”
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===Needing a Local===
Tharkad System - Jump Point
"Hello, Alice, is Commander Trinh Vu Dao available?" 
“I have no one on my crew by that name, but there is a Commander Vu Dao stationed on SLS Stacey Cameron Roberts as executive officer.”
"Then let me talk to your senior Lyran-born Spacer, because I know you have one."
“Let’s see… that would be… Jenny Cu'ong-Deen, she's in the gunnery department, but she's enlisted-" Trinh begun.
"That's fine, I want a perspective." Alice told her
“Very well. I’ll summon her to the ward room so you two can have some privacy.” Alice smiled.
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Jenny Cu'ong Deen twitched in her seat, and came to her feet as soon as Trillian Stiner-Davion entered the room.
"Relax. You're currently working for Director-General Helena Cameron's navy…do you still consider yourself Lyran?" Trillian asked.
"My home burrow's in Ender's Cluster, so…yeah? What's this about, Majesty?"
"Fixing things." Trillian said, "It has occurred to me that my circle of…allies domestically might be getting a bit…high handed? That it's too small by a lot, anyway."
“My specialty is more in breaking things, with explosives, so I’m not sure how I can help…”
"I'm hoping you know people who prefer to build things, rather than break them, and that I can persuade you to help make introductions, Gunny-the term is 'gunny, ja?"
“Ja. And sure I know a few people who like to build. Hell, one of the best I know is a dirtyfoot but good luck getting him to make the trip out here.”
"That's good news. I also want to offer you a job-formally-with your current employer's permission, to make those introductions. I've got a list of needs and as a loyal citizen, I'm hoping you will find yourself willing to assist in filling them…for a rather higher pay rate than you're pulling. See, what I need is to push through a reform program-one that involves more of the realm than has been…traditionally involved. Your particular background reflects a critical population in the Realm, yet you've had little to no actual representation of your interests. I aim to change that."
“Well shit. See that puts me in a bit of a bind. I gave my word that I’d serve.” Jenny told her.
"Can you give me a name, or three, who might fill that? I'll still pay for that…if it doesn't conflict with your promises."
“Yeah. Nathan Simon Cameron on Sevon V, Derik Vong-Grossman out of Arluna, and Tim Summers out of Summer. They’re all independent.”
Trillian was writing notes furiously, as the gunnery NCO spoke. "Thank you…" she folded the paper over and quickly wrote something else down. "Here, take this to Tharkad Bank when you get the chance or have it brought there, the account will be placed in your name, the sum should be..gratifying."
“Thank you, Majesty.”
"Thank YOU, and when you're up for renewal on your enlistment, keep in mind? The Commonwealth can use good spacers in OUR navy."
With that, the meeting ended, and the Archon whisked off.
“Darn it, I should have asked when the shops are going to reopen.” Alice lamented as the Archon’s shuttle departed.
“BARK!” Alice's faithful robotic dog responded.
“I do not have a problem!” Alice frowned. “Well, maybe that my bank account isn’t big enough…”
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