Part 642: Political Vote 21 Results and Combat Theater Vote 20

Combat Theater Vote

“We have a mutual enemy,” The footage was unsteady, focusing on the speaker’s face even as she set a sunbeam laser pistol atop a desk emblazoned with the planetary emblem of New Syrtis. Angry eyes that seemed to burn with an intensity Protector of the Realm Edward Calderon had never seen in person stared out at him from the depths of the holotank on the TCS Vendetta’s bridge, and gave him something to focus on. It beat staring at the corpse lying on the floor at the woman’s feet.

Flanked on one side by a grim Rebecca Hasek and on the other by a white-robed ComStar acolyte, Marie Davion-St. Claire still looked regal in spite of—or perhaps because of—the laugh lines in the corners of her eyes. She was aging gracefully enough but her hands shook with rage rather than palsy. All things considered, the young Protector thought she was holding her composure quite well. Missives bearing the Primus’s official seal lay on the desk behind her. Undoubtedly mirroring the missives Edward himself had just read.

“Your father’s DropShip accident, my husband’s death,” Marie’s voice quivered with barely-suppressed fury, “my son’s replacement with this—” she lashed out, kicking the corpse she’d executed on camera only moments before, “—twisted mockery of everything my son stood for. All orchestrated by one madman: Justin Xiang. His lust for my husband’s realm has destroyed my family and yours.”

“Protector Calderon,” Marie’s lips curled into a grim scowl, “as the pro tem leader of the Duchy of New Syrtis and with the full agreement of the living head of House Hasek, we hereby request not only a cease-fire between all Duchy and Concordat forces, but a formal alliance between the same. We will surrender, officially. If we must petition to join the Taurian Concordat as a client state, so be it, but I intend to turn the full might of the Duchy against the Capellan Confederation and I will avenge the deaths of my son and husband—and I invite you to join me to avenge your father as well.”

The holotank blurred and went dark as the message’s playback ended. Protector Calderon sat in the flag officer’s chair, the Vendetta’s captain watching him in silence for a long moment as he weighed his options.

“Send to New Syrtis,” Edward’s voice was cold. “We accept the terms of their surrender—and welcome the Duchy into the Taurian Concordat. There will be no required changes to any planetary governments save that they adopt Taurian law where applicable. Marie Davion-St. Claire will continue to manage the Duchy for the duration of this Capellan Crisis or until she chooses to step down.”

His pause was only brief, “We look forward to joining you on New Syrtis to put together a battle plan for a joint counter-attack.”



Operation Nemesis
Stephan Amaris must die. ComStar has leaked the location, layout, defenses, and security codes to the Catherine Humphreys Memorial Staging Area to Clan Snow Raven. Too far behind Republic lines for a frontal assault, Snow Raven High Command has decided to launch a Headhunter mission to decapitate Republic leadership and cripple their primary resupply point.

Line in the Sand
The Clans have launched a seemingly desperate attack on the Republic’s front lines. Rather than withdrawing, the Republic intends to destroy the Clan invaders here and now.

Operation Rabies Shot
Justin Xiang is a rabid dog leading a pack of the same. Backed by ComStar, the combined forces of the Taurian Concordat and Duchy of New Syrtis have launched a massive assault on Capellan-held space.

The Cherenkov Plan
Bolstered by House Cherenkov of the Principality of Regulus, the Duchy of Oriente’s attempt to retake their home planets is backed by more than mere BattleMechs. Acting without Duncan Marik’s knowledge, Thomas Halas has committed a portion of the Principality’s nuclear arsenal to the counterattack. The Duchy of Oriente will either rise a phoenix, or as a cloud of ashes.




Combat Theater Vote:
A) Operation Nemesis
B) Line in the Sand (Alpha Strike mission)
C) Operation Rabies Shot (Alpha Strike mission)
D) The Cherenkov Plan