Part 203: Political Vote 10 - Operation: Backstab
Political Vote 10: Operation BackstabA trio of massive DropShips descended on pillars of white fire. Stowing his field binoculars, Colonel Ahmad Karim slammed his hand on the top of the hastily-repainted Draconis Suns logo atop his Demolisher. Radio regimentalthe horses are coming down right where we predicted.
Ahmad smiled darkly. The damned Clanners were in for a nasty surprise this time. Asgard wasnt a high-value target, yet three full regiments of troops stood in wait for the expected Clan regiment. It had rankled at first, when they had left the Clanners challenge unanswered. It wasnt honorable, but wasnt that precisely what the rest of the DCMS had always said about the Arkhab legions? Well, this time, the Hells Horses werent going to have things their way. Even if they dropped with a full regiment, Ahmad was confident the Arkhab Legions had enough troops on Asgard to crush the invaders as theyd nearly done on Luthien.
The thought brought a smile to Ahmads facethe mighty House Kurita laid low in a single blow. The Arkhabs had always been loyal, and they werent great fans of House Davion either, but Ahmad did know war. He approved of Hanse Davions planned counterattack: a massive offensive aimed not where the Clans were concentrated heavily, but at their periphery holdings the Prince had dubbed Operation: Bulldog. On the surface, it certainly seemed sound a core of regular DCMS troops would continue to hold the line against the Clan invaders, while Federated Suns forces carried by something the Prince had called Command Circuits would smash into Clan-held worlds with what would hopefully prove to be overwhelming force.
The silver-white eggs of the Clan DropShips descended in the distance.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Fyodor Moller kept his eyes low; and busied himself with his work. The bondsman sat hunched on the floor, arms-deep in the guts of a communications console. Hed been taken by the Hells Horses, then gifted to the Snow Ravens when theyd inherited Alshain. Fyodor had been an acolyte with the local ComStar office, slated to be cycled away from his home world next month; and yet, here he was. A slave, useful for his skills yet otherwise ignored.
Khan Gregory Lankenau stormed back and forth, staring with fury at the map of the Inner Sphere hovering in the holotank. This is intolerable! The Khan barked at one of his aides. Fyodor crouched lower, burying his head in his equipment.
How long did Kerensky hope to keep this information from us? Technician! He threw something small and metal at Fyodors backFyodor tried not to flinch. I want that equipment working immediately! And you, his voice shifted as he turned away, Prepare a message for the Ghost Bears enclave and our Sea Fox brothers as well! They must know of this immediately! Then, prepare our forces for mobilization!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Romano Liao sat, resplendent in the robes of state, upon the Celestial Throne. Trimmed in gold thread, her plum robes matched perfectly her dark hair. If the color was perhaps a bit warm for her cold beauty, none could complainnone would dare, save the man in simple black who stood at her side.
Justin Xiang would dare a great many things.
Several Dukes and Duchesses stood before hertheir endless bickering had been publically silenced long ago by order of the Celestial Throne: none but the Capellan State and her appointed mercenaries could own `Mechs. Stripped of all but the money their stations and privilege brought, the Capellan nobility could offer no resistance as the state had seized more and more power; yet still they served as a form of council; even if its purpose was largely defunct.
Todays argument was about the virtues of continuing the war on House Marik, with the Haseks so closeand clearly restless. Although the Haseks controlled somewhat less than one fifth of the Federated Suns military, their troops were highly skilled; and they had nothing to fear from their border with the Draconis Suns. Romano frowned at that, and the conversation ebbed momentarily as the speaker silenced himselffeeling duly chastened for raising a point Roman simply hadnt cared enough to hear.
Celestial Wisdom, Justin Xiang addressed her directly. To him and him alone she listened. Gong Han raises an excellent point: We have made vast gains against the Free Worlds League. Perhaps we should consider consolidation, and reinforcing our borders with New Syrtis. Morgan Hasek is no foolif we remain weakened, he will strike. If we show the Lion only strength, then he must find another to test his claws upon.
She nodded then, her expression thoughtful. Perhaps we should show Marik some modicum of mercy? she mused wryly. After allMarik is ours.
Political Vote 10: Capellan Confederation
A) Consolidate, redirect forces to repel the Duchy of New Syrtis
B) Press the assault on the Free Worlds League
C) Abandon the war with the League, assault the Duchy of New Syrtis.