Part 41: Political Vote 2 Results and Combat Theater Vote 2

Political Vote 2 Results(?) & Third Vote:

Did you really think you’d see the results of the Capellan Confederation vote so soon?



Natasha Kerensky stormed into the mock-up of the Grand Council chambers aboard the jumpship Dire Wolf, her aspect furious though her face was concealed by her wolf-head mask and long, gray-furred cloak. Of the eighteen Clans, only four were physically present—the rest appeared as insubstantial holographic projections; a less-than reminder that the four Khans of the invasion represented the whole of the Clans. It was a grave honor.

She took her seat—it was her ship, but she had been the last to arrive: a calculated display of power. The Steel Viper contingent alone seemed not to notice.

“Khan Kerensky,” IlKhan Siedman said in greeting, his booming voice carrying easily through the chamber. “I am curious why you called for us to convene—”

“Quiet, puppet,” Khan Djerassi of the Goliath Scorpions called from his seat near the back row. Interrupting the IlKhan was a blatant insult and massive breach of propriety, but the Goliath Scorpion disdain for the invasion had grown to legendary proportions. Djerassi finished, dismissively: “Let our IlKhan speak!”

Siedman shook, apoplectic in an instant. Natasha wondered if he would challenge Djerassi to a circle of equals on the spot—a poor choice, since Djerassi would have the right to choose the terms, and would undoubtedly choose to take to the field in a battlemech. She breathed a silent sigh of relief when the IlKhan managed to avoid doing anything foolish, despite the insult.

“Khan Kerensky,” Siedman continued through gritted teeth, “why have you requested a meeting of the Grand Council? We have bids to make and planets to conquer.”

“I have requested this meeting for an informal inquest,” Natasha began, her voice strong and proud, “into the troubling actions of one of our fellow Clans.” Her furious eyes fell on Khan Djerassi as she continued, “as an official censure may be required—”

Djerassi stood, “You seek to punish us for our success?”

Natasha stood, likewise. “I seek to punish you for breaking our invasion schedule! You attacked three worlds that—”

“Are we not superior? Is not now the time for bold action?” Djerassi countered, “were those not your own words to this council when you called for this very invasion?” Djerassi slammed his fist into the rail, the scorpion-themed mask covering his own features shook with apparent rage. “Would you truly punish us for success,” he swept his hand in Siedman’s direction, “when our own IlKhan failed to invade three of his own assigned worlds?”

Siedman stood, “We had—”

“Excuses,” Djerassi exclaimed, “do not justify failure, IlKhan. Perhaps there should be a formal inquiry, Khan Kerensky. Let us return to the homeworlds and put this to a vote.”

“Khans,” saKhan Bryson Zalman of Clan Steel Viper called, his quiet voice strangely powerful amidst all the yelling. By refusing to quiet him, Khan Zhukov gave her saKhan implicit permission to speak. “I hardly think a return to Strana Mechty is in order. We have faced nothing more than bandit scum, mercenaries, and the dregs of the Inner Sphere. Khan Kerensky, you can hardly fault the Goliath Scorpions for their enthusiasm for bandit hunting.” Zalman smiled, “after all, a warrior of your… experience should understand the appeal of crushing so unworthy a foe.”

Zalman paused, letting his subtle barbs sink in. “And you, Djerassi: you can hardly fault the Hell’s Horses for their caution, quineg? There is no telling what barbarous tricks these Inner Sphere dogs may employ. I am certain their delay has nothing to do with the valor of their leaders, and everything to do with logistics. It does take quite a while for infantry to walk all the way to the front lines.”

Natasha scowled as all eyes turned to the Steel Viper saKhan. “You—” play a dangerous game, Steel Viper Khan, she had been about to say, but Djerassi cut her off.

“You are correct, saKhan,” Djerassi admitted. “There are more pressing matters to attend to than censuring those of us who are over- or under-performing. We our second wave to plan, and information to share.”

Djerassi placed a light case on the rail. “I have brought copies of all intelligence we have gathered from our conquered worlds. We have been busy,” he explained with a less-than subtle implication that the other Clans had not, “analyzing data from captured ComStar facilities and interrogating the natives. We have learned little of real value, but we freely share our findings with the rest of you.”

Natasha’s eyes narrowed, this was uncharacteristic generosity from the Goliath Scorpions.

Djerassi turned to look at the IlKhan, “In return—we hope you will be willing to share with all the Clans what you have learned from the crew of the captured ComStar vessel.”

Natasha nodded, in spite of herself. Djerassi was afraid the Hell’s Horses would learn some crucial advantage from their unexpected windfall.

“We have yet to interrogate the crew,” the IlKhan replied. “Once we do—”

“You have not interrogated,” Djerassi interrupted, “the crew of a vessel bearing the markings of ComStar’s first circuit?”

“They are to be a gift—”

“To whom?!” Djerassi stood again, and even the Steel Vipers frowned at the IlKhan’s reply. Natasha couldn’t help but question his choice as well. “IlKhan,” the Goliath Scorpion continued, “I challenge you to a Trial of Possession for that ship, everyone, and everything captured aboard her.”

“The ship is ours,” Siedman countered, furious. “We captured it, what we choose to do with it—”

“Is nothing! You chose to do nothing with a potential treasure that was dropped square into your laps! When I take them from you, I could blow the entire crew out an airlock one by one and still have made better use of them then you have!” Djerassi pounded the rail, emphasizing his point. “You have been challenged, IlKhan. I bid my own command star. With what forces will you oppose me?”



Vote 3

2nd Donegal Guards
Presently stationed on Somerset and several other nearby worlds, the 2nd Donegal Guards is a skilled and storied unit with a history that predates the Star League. Lead by Colonel Rossi, the 2nd Donegal Guards has recently come under fire due to the antics of the recently-demoted Hauptman-Kommandant Caeser Steiner.

1st Lyran Guards
One of the oldest Lyran units in service, the 1st Lyran Guards are also one of the best-equipped. Fielding a number of powerful Battlemechs, the Guards have served as a deterrent to Kurita aggression since the first succession war. In the regiment’s history, they have never lost a battle.

Com Guards
Thrown into a panic by the loss of a member of the First Circuit, the Com Guards have been ordered on the offensive for the first time in history. While the Goliath Scorpions continue to press their attack, several Com Guard garrisons in their path have been stripped of defenders to mass a force capable of launching a counterattack against Clan Hell’s Horses.



Voting is Open for:
A) 2nd Donegal Guards
B) 1st Lyran Guards
C) Com Guards