Breaking the Veil (Commissioned NuBSG/BT crossover)

[Baldrick the Wise]

It's also bound to enrage the bureaucrats, doing things quick and efficient makes every cell in their bodies scream in agony.

 

[MarkWarrior]

Chapter 11

Date: January 13, 2994

Location: Hyades Nebula

"Alright people," Commmodore Robert Miller glanced around the briefing room of the Jumpship. "We have a series of tasks to conduct here. The last group evaluated whether or not the Vandenburg could jump out of the system if we towed her to a jump point. The consensus there was 'yes'. As long as we ensure that she can maintain power to the K-F drive. Our job is to make that happen. The Navy is to take possession of Four Warships in three months, but they're going to be stripped of any weapons or technology that our new friends don't feel comfortable sharing yet."


"Don't we still make capital-grade weapons for the defense grid?" Space Master Alex Packe asked. "Why bother trying to salvage this wreck if we're getting something that doesn't require that much work?"

"Two reasons," Miller replied. "The big one is that while there are industries that manufacture the autocannon, lasers, and PPCs for the defense grid, we haven't built capital-grade missiles or the launchers for them in centuries. We're going to need samples to reproduce from. Tagged onto that fact is we also haven't had to build a Warship level drive since then. We're hoping to study them along with some of the other ships to see what we can come up with insofar as potentially more efficient designs are concerned."

"And the other reason?"

"Now that we have other ships that can fill the role of the Vandenburg, the Protector and others have decided to make the old ship a museum piece. A dedication to the lives lost and the people who tried to defend us during the War of Terran and Davion Aggression, and also a sign to the Davions and rest of the Inner Sphere that the Taurians are not to be messed with. She'll be a visible presence while we refit the ships we're to receive from the Kobolians," Commodore Miller smirked. "The best deterrents are those that never have to be used."

The room went silent as they processed the extra information.

"Now, if there aren't any more questions, you may now go to your dropships and prepare to receive specific instructions on what you're to do and how to do it. We do not, I repeat. Not want to cause any more damage to the Vandenburg than she already took during the war," Miller sighed. "We have already lost so much of our history as a people. I do not want us to also lose this. Go to your stations, standby for orders."

–

–

It took a few days to get things set up for the six tugs to be in the appropriate positions to move the Vandenburg without causing undue damage. Meanwhile, a small team was onboard making sure that the corvette was able to retain the ability to jump once they reached the zenith point. As the solar sail had long since been destroyed, they were reliant on charging the drive via some reactor's they'd brought aboard.

That was something Commodore Miller and the rest found perfectly acceptable. Especially given they wanted to take their time to ensure that things went smoothly. Especially after the first idiots had wanted to try purchasing the exterior thrusters from a Mammoth and rigging them to a massive harness instead of using the tried and true method.

There was always someone with a bright, overcomplicated idea. Usually, it was those people that won contracts and spun things to make them look really good. In this case, cooler heads had prevailed and they were now watching as the six tugs slowly and carefully nudged the Corvette into position.

Hours and hours of careful movements, gentle nudges of thrusters, and watching for the slightest sign of damage. But eventually, they were en route to the zenith point. A twelve-hour trip under the Vandenburg's normal power transformed into a multiple day affair.

The emotional part of Miller wanted the Concordat to spend the money and resources to restore the ship. The practical military officer knew that it wasn't worth it. That it was a waste of said resources and money. Those two parts warred against eachother within him. Thankfully, it wasn't his job to actually plan any of that out. He just had to get it back to Taurus. So, he shoved aside the emotions and focused on the task at hand.

---

Date: March 19, 2994

Location: Taurus, Taurian Concordat

It had taken a few months, but finally, Commodore Miller and his group celebrated as the TCS Vandenburg returned to Concordat space once more. Despite the damage to the long0hidden ship, Miller stepped upon the bridge of the Warship one last time as a handful of technicians and engineers routed power to the communications systems.

"This is Taurus System Control, please state your business before you are destroyed," The pseudo-calm of the space traffic controller was delayed but clear.

"Taurus System Conrol, this is Commodore Robert Miller of the Concordat Navy returning home with the Taurian Concordat Ship Vandenburg. We are unable to move under our own power, and as such are utilizing tugs to maneuver. I'm requesting a clear line for transport to orbit as instructed by the Protector."

"One moment, Vandenburg," the reply came back several moments later. It was clear they were checking to make sure that this was authentic, even as dropships and aerospace fighter squadrons began to head their way. "Authorization confirmed, we're clearing a path for you and escorting you in."

"Thank you, system control, we're transmitting the intended course now," Miller nodded at a tech, and waited for him to signal that it had been sent. "Message is sent, Vandenburg, out."

"We're going to cut the power now to these systems now," The tech stated. "We should move to the small craft and transfer over to the tug."

"Just one last look," Miller replied, looking out the armored viewport at the welcoming asteroid belts of Taurus. "I don't think I'll get to see this from this bridge again. Might as well enjoy it while I can."

---

Date: April 1, 2994

Location: New Avalon, Federated Suns

"This report is current?" First Prince Andrew Davion asked.

"As far as we've been able to verify, yes," Minister Park replied, standing nervously across from the First Prince. "We're unaware of how long they've been hiding this Warship from our intelligence services. Usually, TMI leaks like a sieve. But from what we've been able to pull from the Capellans, League, and other nations, it seems they're just as shocked as we are."

"What can we do about it?" Andrew leaned forward over his desk. "What should we even do about it?"

"Well, sir. Given the suddenness of the information, we don't have any assets in place for sabotage or anything similar. I do have ideas regarding how we can utilize this to finish rooting out the Warior's Cabal with less risk to yourself or your children."

"I'll hear those later," Andrew waved that thought to the side. "Vengeance for my father comes after the good of the nation. Now, the Concordat's message to us, the Capellans, and the Magistracy indicated they would only use the ship for defensive operations. How certain of that can we be?"

"Well, one Warship isn't as much of a gamechanger as they might have hoped," Park shrugged. "If it had been a battleship, a cruiser, or anything similar, we might be having a different discussion, but according to the records we dug out, the TCS Vandenburg is a survivor of the Reunificaiton War. Even if it's in pristine condition, it's one corvette against squadrons of aerospace fighters we'd send out with nukes to neutralize the threat."

"My concern is them attempting to use it offensively," Andrew responded. "I'd hoped that we wouldn't have to worry about that border during my lifetime. I'm going to start retasking sections of the Avalon Hussars to the Taurian Border. Hopefully the Capellans do the same, otherwise we might run into issues..."

"I've already shifted MIIO assets to begin a more thorough infiltration of the Taurians," Park nodded. "Now, we need to discuss how to utilize this against the Warrior's Cabal. If there were ever a time to shatter morale, this would be it."

---

Date: April 2, 2994

Location: Sian, Capellan Confederation

"And how, pray tell," Maximilian Liao hissed at Chandra Ling. "Did this slip by your spies?"

"If I knew, I would be telling you now," Chandra replied, calmly rebutting the younger man. "As it is, both the Davions, the Free Worlds League, and the nominal 'allies' of the Concordat, the Magistracy were completely in the dark as well."

"A warship is not a small thing to keep hidden," Max glared.

"It is trivial to keep a warship hidden in the vast voids of space," Chandra shrugged. "The difficult part was ensuring the information never leaked. For that, I am actually impressed with the Taurians Ministry of Intelligence. It is rare that they are able to keep secrets from the rest of the Inner Sphere."

"I'm going to have to assign more units to the Concordat border," Max sighed. "If they were able to hide a Warship, even if it is only a corvette, then there may be other things that were hidden that are ready to strike against us."

"I've already shifted the Maskirovka to begin more thorough infiltrations," Chandra nodded. "I'm hoping that anything else hidden in relation to the Vandenburg will be brought to light."

"They've promised not to use the ship offensively," Max tapped the 'official notice' the Concordat had sent out while scoffing. "I do not believe them. They are within striking distance of Victoria, Grand Base, and other worlds critical to production. We cannot allow them to believe the Capellans are the easier target."

"We can likely put out Propaganda pushing for more hatred of the Federated Suns," Chandra stated. "Whether they believe it or not, it will seed doubts in their minds…"

 

[Doomsought]

It turns out that the Bulls can distract their enemies with a red cape just as well as a matador.

 

[Baldrick the Wise]

"A warship is not a small thing to keep hidden," Max glared.

Click to shrink...

99% of star systems in Inner Sphere are uninhabited and have no Jumpship traffic going through, given that Taurians managed to keep it hidden from SLDF, when it throrugly combed through TC after the Ruinification war for any shreds of military tech, it is of no fault of Maskirovka director that she didn't know of Vanderburg's existence. Sure shows the genesis of a man we all loved to loathe.

 

[Bev]

It turns out that the Bulls can distract their enemies with a red cape just as well as a matador.

Click to shrink...

Hopefully this red cape can distract the telephone company long enough for the Taurians to equip those Colonial shells.

 

[Baldrick the Wise]

ROM is already past the red cape.