Part 203: Political Vote 10 - Operation: Backstab

Political Vote 10: Operation Backstab

A 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 regimental—the horses are coming down right where we predicted.”

Ahmad smiled darkly. The damned Clanners were in for a nasty surprise this time. Asgard wasn’t 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 wasn’t honorable, but wasn’t that precisely what the rest of the DCMS had always said about the Arkhab legions? Well, this time, the Hell’s Horses weren’t 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 they’d nearly done on Luthien.

The thought brought a smile to Ahmad’s face—the mighty House Kurita laid low in a single blow. The Arkhabs had always been loyal, and they weren’t great fans of House Davion either, but Ahmad did know war. He approved of Hanse Davion’s 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.



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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. He’d been taken by the Hell’s Horses, then gifted to the Snow Ravens when they’d 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 Fyodor’s back—Fyodor 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!”



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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 complain—none 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 her—their 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.

Today’s argument was about the virtues of continuing the war on House Marik, with the Haseks so close—and 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 himself—feeling duly chastened for raising a point Roman simply hadn’t 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 fool—if 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 all—Marik 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.