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With A Bared Sword

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Victor had some expectations of how his life would go, being the oldest son of royalty. They didn't include his father's sudden death.
Katherine had some plans for how her own life would go, as spare to the throne. None of them involved her brother's reluctance to actually sit on said throne.
The universe is not conspiring to make their lives miserable - it doesn't really need to, there's a long list of people about to complicate the sibling's lives, intentionally or otherwise. Including, but not limited to, each other.
It's true what they say: you can't choose your family…
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Prologue - Denial
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    • drakensis

    drakensis

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    With A Bared Sword
    (A Battletech Alternate Universe by Drakensis)

    Oh, the power to be strong
    And the wisdom to be wise
    All these things will come to you in time
    On this journey that you're making
    There'll be answers that you'll seek
    And it's you who'll climb the mountain
    It's you who'll reach the peak
    - Son of Man, Phil Collins​


    Prologue - Denial​

    New Avalon Institute of Science, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    18 June 3052

    Kate was vaguely aware of a chirping.

    She wasn't sure how a bird had gotten into her dorm room - the windows couldn't be opened and no pets were allowed. But it was damned annoying, and it was waking her up.

    During three years of military education, the young woman had learned that you sleep when you can because the enemy, in this case the professors, will sooner or later give you no chance to sleep. Not being awake was a precious commodity and this damned bird was - !

    Her eyes snapped open and the blur of white in front of her told a familiar story: she had fallen asleep at her desk again. With what felt like a herculean effort, she lifted her head off her forearms, blinking away the tears as her eyes adjusted to no longer being shielded from the lamps.

    The two person dorm room was as far away from how she'd been raised as she could imagine. The blonde was academically aware that some people lived in such poverty that the cold plastic floor and thinly-plastered cement block walls would be considered a step up. Field exercises had been a shock to her system, but those were outdoors so there hadn't been any expectation of a roof and walls there.

    It was a double room, but her roommate for this year hadn't arrived yet so the upper bunk was still a bare mattress, while Kate's was made up to the expectations of drill sergeants. She probably ought to actually sleep on it, she thought, remembering being screamed at by a platoon lead and accused of thinking 'the issue bed wasn't good enough for her'.

    The bird was still chirping and it wasn't until Kate finished rubbing her eyes that she realized it wasn't a bird - the shared comm-unit between the two desks was pinging for an inbound call.

    With a groan, she pushed her notes on the right arm mechanism from a Guillotine battlemech aside, picked up the comm-unit and dropped it in front of her, stabbing the accept button. "What?"

    "Kathy, you have ink on your face," her older brother said in a choked voice.

    She was about to yell at Victor for waking her at - she looked at the comm's clock - more than an hour after midnight, before she remembered that Victor wasn't on New Avalon. He probably wasn't even in the star system yet - there was no way he could be calling her so this was a dream.

    "Godammit," she muttered, "Why can't I dream about a solution for this damned myomer bundle, not a prank call." Her finger found the disconnect button and pressed it.

    Arching her back, Kate twisted, trying to work out the familiar aches of sleeping hunched over her desk.

    …wait, why was she feeling those aches if she was dreaming?

    The comm pinged again and Kate groaned. Then, with great reluctance, she accepted the call. Once again she saw her brother's face appear on the small screen. "Victor, why are you calling me in the middle of the night? How are you calling me in the middle of the night?"

    "Kathy, you need to come to the castle now."

    "Wh-what?" She wiped her eyes again with the heel of one hand. "Hi Victor, long time, no see, you look well…?"

    Victor looked like he wanted to swear. "Stop playing around."

    "Oh I'm sorry, it's the middle of the night. I was asleep!"

    "With ink on your face."

    "Fine, fine!" She turned away and yanked open a drawer, looking for a mirror and some wet wipes to get the ink off her face. Her brother made an angry noise and Kate looked back at the comm. "What now?"

    "Don't you know better than to fall asleep at your desk?"

    (Someone in the background on Victor's end said something like "whole family of kettles")

    "What are you even doing on New Avalon?" she asked, finding the wet wipes but no mirror. Taking one and wiping her cheeks blindly, she looked back at the comm, "Am I getting the ink off?"

    "A bit higher," Victor said dumbly, indicating his own cheekbone.

    "Thanks. Why are you early?" She paused and remembered her manners. "Welcome back. I'm glad you made it through, but why call me in the middle of the night?"

    Victor took a deep breath. "Kathy, you need to come back to Castle Davion right now."

    "Why?" she asked, but Victor had kept speaking and continued over her question:

    "Dad's dead."

    That… Kathy's mind locked up. Was she wrong, was this a dream? A nightmare, really? "Wha- wait, no…" She shook her head in disbelief. "How?!"

    "He had a heart attack at his desk!" Victor half-shouted. "This is why you shouldn't sleep on it! Don't they give you a bed at NAIS?!"

    "Don't yell at me!" she shot back. "You're not an instructor here." A dreadful prospect pushed her shock aside for a moment. "Oh god, you're not going to be an instructor here, are you?" That would be all she would need, having to take classes from her brother during her final year.

    Victor looked horrified. "No! …stop changing the subject."

    "Dad can't just die at his desk!" Kate protested, pushing her chair back. "Why wasn't someone looking after him?" A hollow feeling gnawed at her. Dad couldn't really be gone. New Avalon had the best medicine anywhere, near enough! It was just a heart attack! People survived those all the time, didn't they?

    "I don't know! You're the one here on New Avalon! Why are you even in your dorm? NAIS doesn't even have classes right now!"

    "Castle's frantic with the war going on! I'm working on my dissertation, and it made more sense to be here near the library," she said. "But… are you sure it isn't an assassin? Dad's not old! He can't just have a heart attack!"

    Her brother slammed his hands on the sides of the comm unit. "I don't know yet. I just got here. Are you going to get moving? Or do I have to call your security detail to drag you back here?"

    "Don't shout at me!" she snapped hotly. Dad's dead and all Victor can do is scream at me like a drill instructor?!

    Someone else caught Victor by the shoulders. "Let me."

    Victor turned angrily on the interloper but, for a wonder, he calmed down. "Fine, see if you can talk to her."

    Another blond replaced her brother on the screen. Kate didn't know him, but he wore the uniform of an AFFC Hauptmann and had the unit patch of the Tenth Lyran Guards, where Victor commanded a battalion. "Your highness," he said crisply.

    "Hauptmann."

    "The doctors are still checking your father," he continued and then hastily added. "I'm sorry, they say there is no chance of resuscitation. But," the man moved on: "There is still the chance of foul play. For your safety, the royal family are all to move into the tightest security. I'm sure NAIS is very good, but it's not Castle Davion."

    The angry energy drained out of her. "Yes."

    "Thank you," he said sympathetically. "I'm very sorry."

    "Yeah." Tears began to form at the corners of her eyes. "Me too."

    "Me three," Victor said softly from off the screen. "Kathy, I'll… I'll see you here, okay?"

    "Would you like me to call your security, and get it set up?" the blond asked supportively. "It would give you a chance to get cleaned up."

    "Thank you."

    The call cut off and Kate sat staring at the blank comm screen for a long moment. Then she swallowed and pushed herself back from the desk, sharp, stinging tears running down her cheeks. She could go to the Castle in the NAIS sweats she was wearing, but she should at least get her boots on.
     
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    • Chapters 1-3
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    • Act 1 - Anger​

    Chapter 1

    Castle Davion, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    1 July 3052

    Prince Victor Steiner-Davion was slammed against his restraints as his Victor was shaken violently by the firepower slamming into it.

    It could have been worse - he had seen the salvo coming in and fired his jump jets so most of the laser fire only slashed briefly across the 'mech before the other mechwarrior lost track and wasted most of the pulses of coherent light against the buildings behind the Victor.

    The autocannon tracked well though and the armor outline on one of the prince's multi-function displays outlined sections of the torso in orange, one step short of the red that would have marked an imminent armor breach. Pretty bad though.

    Victor knew the 'mech shooting at him, almost as well as he did the one he was riding. He didn't know the man inside it as well as he'd hoped though - he'd thought that he had time to catch the enemy offguard from behind and work the rear armor before he had to pull back into cover.

    He'd been wrong - the other man had been backing up rather than advancing, which meant that he - the veteran of the Clan front - had been outplayed!

    That didn't stop him from bringing the gauss rifle in the right arm of his Victor around and slamming a shot into the heavier 'mech. It missed the back - no 'mech could have thick armor everywhere and rear armor was usually an area that had to be compromised - and skipped down the weapon pod of the right arm before slamming into the upper half of the limb.

    Armor cracked under the impact but Victor knew that it wasn't enough on its own to disable the limb and the moment he landed, he had his own 'mech running for cover, risking his own rear armor as he scurried behind the shelter of more buildings.

    He heard crashing sounds as the larger mech thundered through the office building on the corner, trying to cut the distance by powering through obstacles. A mistake, in the prince's not-so-humble opinion. The sheer motive power of an assault 'mech could be intoxicating, but that didn't mean that they wouldn't be slowed even beyond their normal low top speed by going through buildings.

    In fact, it opened an opportunity.

    Victor turned at the corner he had reached and fired everything before he ducked behind it. Every shot hit, which was what he would have expected when firing at an immobile target. Lasers, missiles and another gauss slug crashed into the lower floors of the second building on the street, a tower of glass that was certainly not rated to deal with that level of abuse.

    Thirty floors of steel and glass crashed over and into the building that Victor's opponent was battering his way through. Both structures clashed and a hundred tons of war machine was buried under thousands of tons of debris.

    "You son of a bitch!" the other mechwarrior shouted.

    Victor laughed. "That's our mother you're talking about, Peter!"

    His younger brother's frustrated shout was as much exultant as angry as the Dire Wolf forced its way free. "What a machine!" he yelled.

    The elder of the pair was still retreating, not wanting to take another battering salvo. Cut up two streets and circle around. Fighting a Clan omnimech head on was risky even if you had a 'mech of comparable mass. His Victor gave up twenty tons and this wasn't a battlefield where weight of numbers could be brought to bear.

    The buildings had too much metal for magscans, there were fires spreading as the result of Peter's earlier missed shots… that meant both needed to rely on seismic sensors for anything outside of line of sight. Those didn't work well when your own 'mech was in motion, so Victor adopted the move - pause - move pace common to mechs in urban combat. It was also not very useful in cases where the target you were looking for wasn't moving - finding Peter would depend on luck as much as good tactics.

    His younger brother didn't have battlefield experience, but he was a student at one of the Inner Sphere's best military academies - the same one that Victor had graduated from - and such institutions did everything they could to pass on the lessons that real bloodshed would without the same cost in human lives. It would be a mistake to underestimate the younger prince.

    Victor wasn't surprised that his brother's mech wasn't on the same street he had led him onto after using the Victor's higher speed to circle around the block - the Dire Wolf wasn't as slow as to have not even reached the corner. And while playing 'chase me around the same route' was tempting, it was possible Peter would see it coming and wait in ambush.

    Or just take a different turn and get lost in the buildings. That was surprisingly easy, even with the sophisticated sensors and navigation systems of a battlemech.

    Instead, Victor made it three dimensional, jumping his Victor again up onto the top of a parking garage. The heavy ferrocrete crunched under the eighty tons of battlemech, but it didn't collapse. He had to wait a moment for the jump jets to replenish their tanks of air before superheating the contents so that it erupted out of the vents and hurled his 'mech up and into the air again.

    His target was a towering mall that had a roof over two hundred meters above the street - higher than he would have been able to reach in a single jump. While it wasn't as heavily reinforced as the parking garage, the roof had heli-pads for the delivery of large loads by air, avoiding the traffic below. They might not be intended for something as heavy as the Victor but there was a significant margin of error built in for safety reasons and hopefully Peter wouldn't spot him up here.

    Victor scanned the horizon, hoping the altitude would reveal a clue about his brother's location. If he was being careless of buildings, he might be able to find Peter just by following the trail of destruction.

    The risk was being seen himself. Remembering to look up wasn't an easy lesson though and most mechwarriors were focused enough on the height of their own cockpits. If Peter hadn't internalized that yet, Victor might have a chance to get shots down. The Dire Wolf's cockpit was shielded from above by a heavy armored cowl, but Victor might be able to get a shot into the damaged arm, and severing that would reduce the disparity in firepower between them.

    The first sign that he had underestimated his brother again was a thermal bloom from the shadows cast by a multi-level freeway. Victor tried to backpedal but it was too late.

    All five of the Dire Wolf's large lasers smashed into the building below him and severed structural members. The floor gave way below the Victor and he didn't have the traction to do more than stabilize his fall with his jump jets before the sides of the hole in the building began to cave in on him.

    Victor gritted his teeth as the simulator slammed him up and down, reflecting collisions with floor after floor - both those he was crashing down on and those falling on his head.

    When the Victor came to rest, it was buried to the waist and as much as the Dire Wolf needed to cool off from the use of so many lasers at once, it could do so on the move. Victor was still trying to get his 'mech loose of the wreckage when the Clan omnimech loped into view.

    "The boot's on the other foot now!" Peter crowed, and opened up with everything in his arsenal.

    Victor just closed his eyes as his ride was blasted into smithereens by the simulated firepower of his own 'mech. When he opened them again, the simulator's displays were all blank except for the smug 'You died' report.

    With a groan, the prince hit the power down control and the simulator pod leveled before lowering back into the rest position. Conscious of safety rules, Victor waited until it had done so before removing his helmet and unbuckling himself.

    Peter had exited his own pod before Victor. Judging by the sweat on his arms and shoulders, the simulator had pumped hot air in to reflect the conditions inside an alpha striking battlemech. The smirk on his face was galling but Victor decided to be the bigger man.

    "Well done," he said simply, offering his hand.

    His brother's smile faded slightly at the lack of reaction but he accepted the hand. "No excuses."

    "A win is a win," Victor forced himself to say. "It was well done. You're learning the right things at the Nagelring."

    "Thanks." And then self-control broke down. "Soon I'll be the one showing the clans what for!"

    "Maybe not that soon." The ComGuards had won the Inner Sphere a fifteen year truce and while it wouldn't stop the two sides from testing each other's strength, the Federated Commonwealth wasn't ready for the sort of counterattack that would be needed to retake their lost worlds. Besides Kathy wouldn't graduate for another year and Peter was two full years behind the elder of their two sisters.

    "Having fun?" a familiar voice asked and both brothers looked up, seeing their father's best friend looking down at them from a gantry above the simpods.

    "Just showing Victor some moves, uncle Ardan!" Peter boasted.

    The balding Field Marshal leant on the rail. "I hope you learned a few things as well, Peter. In the future it may be you on the receiving end of Clan weapons."

    "It's not the machine, it's the mechwarrior inside!" the younger man exclaimed. "Isn't that what you always said?"

    "For many things, yes." Ardan Sortek looked down at them and shook his head. "But the differences between our 'mechs and those your father and I fought were nothing compared to what we face today. It was a good victory and you earned it," he continued as Peter's face fell, "But I doubt we will be able to acquire another of those omnimechs, much less enough to put them on the field in enough numbers to level the playing field."

    "The Dragoons can build them!"

    "In small numbers," Victor told him. "And they will want to use them for their own rebuilding before they sell to outsiders. They took heavy losses on Luthien."

    "Fighting for the Kuritas." His brother shook his head. "I'll see you later. I think I need a shower."

    Victor laughed and mimed holding his nose. "I wasn't going to say anything."

    Peter punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Thanks for letting me use a sim of your 'mech."

    "You can try it for real on the firing range," he offered. Losing dad was hitting them all hard. Making allowances for Peter being a brat was… probably easier than some of the trials he'd face in the future. And not just the Clans' custom of trials by combat for everything.

    His brother's face lit up and he dashed for the shower room.

    Victor went up the steps onto the gantry and looked after Peter. "Was I ever that young?" Only five years separated them.

    His father's champion laughed kindly and after a moment, Victor's cheeks flushed as he remembered incidents from his own time at the Nagelring, or at NAIS during his exchange year. Out of kindness, Ardan didn't bring any of those up though. "I was," he said instead. "And I think your father was too, even if I didn't see him much when he was at NAMA."

    Victor nodded. The New Avalon Military Academy had been House Davion's preferred academy since the SLDF took over Albion centuries ago. Even after the fall of the Star League, it had been a matter of pride for Davions to mostly use their own academy. His father had used the school as the base from which to build the New Avalon Institute of Science, with the academy becoming the new institution's College of Military Sciences.

    "It's an impressive machine," Ardan changed the subject, indicating a screen where the final moment of the training match was still on display, Peter's borrowed 'Prometheus' looming over the fallen Victor. "I have to admit, having used a Victor myself, I was rooting for you. I guess it wasn't meant to be though."

    "They aren't all powerful," Victor admitted. "Keeping it running is a nightmare - we've gone through almost all the spare parts the Dragoons provided. Fortunately it doesn't use the more advanced armor and structural materials that the Clans use so we can make some substitutions but it's fortunate Hohiro let us take some salvage from Teniente or I'd have to retire Prometheus after one more battle."

    "I would imagine the Clans have an easier time," the older man observed, "But logistics matters a great deal. I'm glad you learned that lesson young - your staff work preparing for the counterattack on Twycross was top-notch and not just for your age or rank. I've seen Marshals who didn't prepare as well for operations."

    He ducked his head at the compliment. "I had a good team."

    "So did the Marshals I mean." Ardan sighed. "Of course, there is always more to learn. That's true for all of us, your father included. Your sister also seems to understand it. Hanse was crowing about her work with Coventry and Corean when we last met."

    "Oh?" Victor guessed from context that it meant Coventry Metal Works and Corean Enterprises, two of the Federated Commonwealth's most respected battlemech manufacturers - but what did Kathy have to do with them?

    "Didn't she tell you? She and her class put together a working plan to standardize parts across Commando and Valkyrie production as part of the upgrade kits being sent out. In the long run it will save us billions. Even now, it's cutting hundreds of tons from supply shipments."

    He blinked. "Impressive." The two designs were among the most common light 'mechs in use by the AFFC, often operating in pairs. If they could operate off common stockpiles for parts then it would be a small but significant easing of the massive logistic struggles faced by operating combat units across a realm that numbered - had numbered - a thousand star systems spread across a thousand light year axis. "She mentioned working on her dissertation."

    Ardan shook his head. "That will be something new, I think. Something for her final year. Hanse was looking forward to it." He looked away awkwardly for a moment.

    "Perhaps we'll find time for her to tell me about it," Victor mused, thinking about his schedule. It was, understandably, packed. There was so much to do and the one thing all the wealth of even two royal families could not buy was more time.

    The old man nodded in agreement. "We'll find the time. I look forward to working with you. Hopefully I can at least ease the process of taking up your father's duties."

    It was the prince's turn to look away awkwardly. Apparently, Ardan hadn't been filled in yet. "Actually…"

    "Actually?" his father's best friend asked, turning a familiar jovial-but-inquisitive look towards Victor.


    Chapter 2

    Castle Davion, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    8 July 3052

    The funeral of the First Prince had brought all the great and good of the Federated Suns to New Avalon - a grouping who didn't overlap as often as they should, even before the addition of Lyran dignitaries from the realm of Kate's mother.

    The press of people wishing to express their sympathies - and more importantly (to them) be seen with the great Hanse Davion's eldest daughter - was something Kate had had enough of. It would not be politically acceptable for the great man's immediate family not to be on display, at least for those old enough to be in public view. Yvonne and Arthur had been able to make their escapes but the best Kate could do without censure was to avoid the more formal reception rooms for a while and 'be seen' in the halls and galleries. As long as she seemed to be on her way somewhere, she could avoid most conversations.

    There were plenty of guests there as well, a mix of those moving between social hubs and a surprising number with ear buds to show they were taking the chance to tour the Castle. Once she gave it some thought, the princess had to admit that it was the chance of a lifetime for those who didn't have the rank or a duty that brought them to New Avalon.

    She'd crossed to one of the portrait galleries when she found a familiar face studying one of the portraits in confusion. The blond officer who had been with Victor when he told her of her father's passing had an ear bud in one ear and the control device in his hand but he seemed to have stalled out in advancing as he examined the oil painting at one end of the room.

    Kate planned only to give him a nod but she saw one of the Fenlon boys approaching, clearly intent on 'offering a sympathetic shoulder'. Their grandmother had been her father's minister for foreign relations and the idea that this might springboard into a closer tie to the royal house had sunk into the current Duke of Chesterton's mind. He had two boys about Kate's age and both had been primed to push that agenda since she first met them.

    Another conversation like that was the last thing she wanted, so she turned to her brother's aide. "Hauptmann Cox, is there something bothering you?" she asked, looking up at the portrait.

    "Ah, your highness." Galen Cox turned and bowed Lyran-style, clicking his heels. "Not bothering as such, but I confess the riding crop in your ancestor's hand puzzles me. It's not usually the image of royals."

    Kate turned and looked up at the image of the long dead Robert Davion. "Like most of these matters, it's tied to an anecdote about his life. This is…" she checked her memory, "Yes, this was painted based on contemporary images but well after my many greats grandfather had passed away, not from life. I have no idea how he'd have felt about being painted with a riding crop in his hand."

    "The tour doesn't seem to mention such a tale," Galen admitted. He glanced over Kate's shoulder and then gave her a questioning look.

    "I would be happy to share the story." She took his elbow and drew him around to look back at the portrait. This conveniently left them arm-in-arm and it would be grossly rude for the Fenlons to interrupt when she was signaling a private conversation. Kate almost wished they would; it would give her every excuse to snub them for at least a year.

    There was no interruption though, so apparently they had thought better of it.

    "The Davions weren't royal at the time," she explained. "Robert was an officer in the Terran Alliance military, who had taken what was considered a low risk post on a remote agricultural world. At the time, New Avalon wasn't the hub it is today."

    Galen chuckled at the deprecating remark about Kate's homeworld. "That would have been just before the Outer Reaches Rebellion then?"

    "Yes, some years before. He married well and otherwise integrated into the local gentry," she explained. "The story goes that he was out riding with friends one day and came across an Alliance tax collector bullying a local farmer who was unable to meet the demands being made. The man - the tax collector I mean - saw Robert riding up and recognised him, asking him to use the crop to whip the intransigent farmer."

    "I take it he didn't," Galen observed.

    Kate laughed quietly. "It would not be something we boast of if he did. We're not Kuritas. No, he applied the crop to the face of the tax collector, running the man off. It would be cynical to say that he and his friends were depending on local hospitality for their evening meal and likely had a fine meal at the farmer's expense after that, which would hardly have been the case if they sided with a tax collector."

    The Lyran officer - his accent was that of Tamar - nodded in understanding. "And one day he was the man sending out tax collectors."

    "Robert managed to avoid that," she told him. "When news of the Outer Reaches Rebellion arrived, he deserted the garrison to join the militia force that would ultimately drive them offworld. He was still an outsider, but he was there in the background for early independence and died in the civil war that followed." She indicated the next portrait. "His son Adam survived and was in the inner circle of the great families who emerged from that and it was Robert's grandson Lucien who was the first Davion to rule New Avalon."

    "And then the Federated Suns," Galen completed. "Even I have heard of his diplomacy."

    "The Ian Cameron of his day," Kate agreed.

    The hauptmann glanced back. "I believe your admirer has given up, your highness. Thank you for explaining that to me."

    Kate hoped her pale cheeks hadn't flushed at being seen through. "I hope it is some exchange for your helping me brush him off." Then she tilted her head. "And I hope you don't call my brother 'your highness' all the time, he would hate that."

    "He broke me of that very early," Galen assured her.

    She glanced around the room. "If you would be interested in any more tales of family history, perhaps we could trade stories."

    "I don't think Victor would thank me for giving his sister ammunition."

    "It doesn't have to be about him," Kate told him and then her eyes narrowed. She had learned more about Cox - best to when he was around Victor almost half their waking hours. He had been with her brother through the war, including the training on Outreach and the raid on Teniente. "I am very interested in hearing about Omi Kurita." She dropped the name quietly, not wanting to be overheard.

    The hauptmann didn't quite hide a wince. "I would think your family's intelligence agencies could tell you more."

    "If I want to know what she was in terms of schooling, family connections and titles then yes," the blonde said quietly. "And I looked all that up when she was appointed to represent her grandfather at the funeral. But I also saw how Victor looks at her and that means I need to know who she is."

    Galen gave her a wary look and the corners of his lips curved down. After a long sigh he turned towards another of the oil paintings. "Perhaps you could tell me about this one," he suggested, in acceptance of the bargain. "I saw it on the way down and the title doesn't tell me much."

    "I'd be happy to," Kate told him, staying on his arm as they walked across to the painting in question, one that was (probably not coincidentally) at the quieter end of the gallery. "The Last Duel," she read from the bottom of the picture.

    "Not entirely accurate, given how prevalent dueling is in the Inner Sphere," the officer observed. "And I don't recognise that 'mech at all."

    "If it wasn't family history, I probably wouldn't either." She indicated the other 'mech, recognisably a Wolverine despite battle damage, which sported the colors of the Davion Guards. "That is my ancestor, Alexander the Great, of whom I assume you have heard."

    "He did appear in history books once or twice," he deadpanned. "And his opponent?"

    "Dimitri Rostov," she said with a degree of satisfaction. "Prince of the Terran March and the last great rival Alexander faced in the Davion Civil War."

    Galen made a hmming nose. "I assume the absence of the Terran March from maps has something to do with the outcome of the duel? And his 'mech?"

    "He was piloting a Swordsman," Kate answered. "One of the Federated Suns' early battlemech designs, It was built in the Terran March and made up the backbone of their battlemech forces during the civil war. When the March was dissolved, the production was discontinued. Hard to believe, isn't it?"

    "I can't imagine any state stopping production of a 'mech entirely," the Lyran admitted. "Unless they were forced to, of course. And I do remember that happening around the tail end of the Succession Wars, back when I was a boy. But by choice?"

    "It was a different time," she agreed, giving the picture a melancholy look. "For all that we're recovered since then, we don't just fall short of the Star League - in many ways we haven't caught up yet with the pre-Star League days. The bulk of the surviving Swordsman 'mechs were handed over the SLDF when it was formed, the rest were sent to militias and as far as I know none survived the Succession Wars."

    "Like so much else." Galen turned his head again to the picture, which displayed the two 'mechs unleashing their full arsenals against each other in furious demonstration of the hatred between the two mechwarriors. "But why were they fighting? I thought Alexander Davion fought his civil war to win the throne back from his aunts."

    Kate smiled thinly and used a phrase beloved of history teachers: "It was more complicated than that." She heard Galen chuckle at the words; perhaps he'd been taught by someone with a similar way of putting it. "Rostov's father Nikolai had been a supporter of Laura Davion - he helped her become Prince of the Draconis March, which gave her the power base to contend for the throne. The Varnays -"

    "The Capellan March faction?"

    "Yes, Laura's sister Cassandra married Prince David Varnay," Kate confirmed. "They elevated the elder Rostov to lead the Terran March in hopes of sparking rivalry between them. It didn't quite work out, but it did divert him to face the Terran Hegemony at the time. Laura won his support back by nominating him as First Marshal of the Federated Suns. When fighting broke out, they almost crushed the Varnays, driving them back to within the Capellan March. However, at about the same time Alexander escaped from Varnayite imprisonment, Nikolai Rostov was killed and many of his forces turned their coats to the Varnays."

    "Turbulent times," Galen said in understanding.

    "Not unlike those that Robert Marsden, or the first Robert Steiner, experienced," she confirmed. "It took years for Dimitri Rostov to regain control of the Terran March - many of his father's followers preferred to side with Laura or Cassandra, for whatever reason. When Alexander emerged as a genuine contender, pledging himself to the 'true' Davion heir was a useful political tool and it worked out well for them: the combined forces of the Terran and the Crucis March was enough to defeat both Laura Davion and the Varnays."

    Kate paused and looked over at Galen. "From Alexander's own records, I don't think the two men ever liked each other, but the breaking point was politics. Dimitri Rostov wanted a return to the old order, where he would rule his own March almost independently of New Avalon. But my ancestor was determined never to allow another civil war like the one he'd grown up in, to break the power of the Marches. Those who feared him as a tyrant saw Rostov as their only safeguard against New Avalon's dominance and the final round of fighting began." She closed her eyes briefly, recalling the first time she'd heard the story. "Alexander's wife was killed in a botched abduction attempt and that destroyed Rostov's popular support. Cynthia and Alexander's marriage was one of the great romances of the day - she was much loved. Alexander reached Robinson, which was the capital of the Terran March back then, with a huge army. He probably wasn't as great a general as Rostov, but he had numbers." She indicated the painting. "And then he risked it all on a single duel."

    Galen frowned. "Somehow I think Victor would have done the same."

    "Probably. I don't think we've ever discussed it, but…" Kate smiled ruefully. "Truth be told, I'd have more confidence in my brother's chances than Alexander's. He was a great leader, but not really an accomplished general or mechwarrior."

    "Good enough though."

    "Yes, it makes me feel a bit better about my own lack of skill."

    He looked down at her. "You're in your final year at NAIS?"

    "Yes, but I doubt I'll have anything like his class score. I'm not the second coming of our father or grandmother."

    "But you do intend to serve?"

    "As a Steiner," Kate said flatly, "I should. As a Davion, I must. A price for growing up in places like this." She gestured around at the opulent surroundings. "I think they call it duty."

    "There are times around Victor that I'm glad to just be a farmboy."

    Kate smiled but didn't tell him that Field Marshal Ardan Sortek, her father's closest friend and personal champion had started out as 'just a farmboy' who happened to fall into Hanse Davion's orbit. Let him stay innocent a little longer. No need to spoil the surprise, if Victor planned to keep his aide around - which she assumed he did.

    Galen glanced around. "Regarding the lady in question."

    Seeing that they had some personal space, Kate gave nodded and listened expectantly.

    "I think you'd understand how hard it is for Victor to make friends," the man said. "I had to explain this to her brother though…"

    "I have some idea."

    "I think it's a chance to have someone who understands the restrictions he's under," Galen continued. "They both know it can't go anywhere - when Omi asked us to help rescue Hohiro it was on condition that she'd break off communication, though that got changed somehow. And they both know that word you used: duty. I'm not saying she isn't beautiful, but if your brother was going to fall for that he'd have probably been hitched before I even met him."

    Kate grinned at the truth of that, but then the expression fell off her face. "So she likes him for who he is, despite his rank not because of it."

    "Exactly."

    "Damn, no wonder he's fallen hard." She'd seen Victor have crushes before but this was different. She could see it and if it wasn't for concerted work by her mother's staff, half the nobility of the Suns would have linked the dots. Keeping this out of the press was going to be a lot of fun for them. "Well, as you say, it can't go anywhere. At least if it helps keep the current truce together it'll be worth something. The last thing we need right now is another war with the Combine."

    "I'm sure the Combine feels the same way," Galen said wryly. "Thank you for the history lessons, your… Katherine," he corrected himself when she waggled her finger at him.

    "Thank you for your own help," she said with a smile. "If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me. I am for some mysterious reason well educated in the obscure history of House Davion and House Steiner."

    "I appreciate it, but the HPG bills might get excessive for my wage. Perhaps next time we meet."

    Kate frowned, trying to work out which of them was making incorrect assumptions. "I thought you were remaining Victor's aide?"

    "Yes," Galen agreed, clearly making similar calculations. "But the Tenth Lyran Guards are still posted back on the Clan border."

    "And Victor is rejoining them," Kate said with a sinking feeling as she realized that she was the one missing pieces of the puzzle. The temptation to shriek "He's the First Prince!" was almost irresistible, but she was restrained by the sight in the distance of her uncle Ian's portrait: being the First Prince hadn't kept him from the frontlines. And that had led directly to the start of her father's reign.

    She hadn't managed to hide her surprise and Galen nodded silently.

    Kate forced her voice to remain calm. "Well, you'll be here until his coronation." The clear 'what coronation' expression she got told the princess that she was badly, badly out of the loop. "Thank you, Galen. I think I had better make sure that mother is managing…" she said stiffly.


    Chapter 3

    Castle Davion, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    18 July 3052

    The palace drop-port was dominated by a pair of massive dropships. Most of the time it served smaller ships bringing in key delegations or transshipping comparably small quantities of supplies to keep Castle Davion fed and otherwise provided for. It was relatively rare for security concerns to allow a dropship to land that was large enough that the discreet but formidable air defenses couldn't definitively destroy it before it arrived over the seat of the Federated Suns government.

    The matched pair were royal exceptions - the Camelot had been Hanse Davion's preferred transport and would now take his wife and second son back to Tharkad. The demands of restructuring the Lyran government to cope with the loss of dozens of worlds to the Clans meant that Victor's mother would be needed on her own capital for months, and naturally Peter had classes to attend.

    The other Overlord-class dropship would share the command circuit through the Terran corridor, before striking coreward by slower routes to deliver the Revenants to rejoin the other two battalions of the Tenth Lyran Guards. Fortunately so many were making their way back to Lyran space that multiple jumpships would be available for most links. Otherwise one of the two royal dropships would need to wait for the other. It would be far too risky to have them share a jumpship.

    Victor turned away from the Barbarossa and back to his remaining siblings. Arthur was old enough to think he could get away with just a shake of hands, but Victor hugged him anyway, the teenager squawking indignantly. "Don't drive the teachers too up the wall," the older brother warned.

    "I'll be good…"

    "Not too good. Moderation in all things. Just… do you want to find out how your class would behave if Kathy got called in to act as your guardian?"

    The redheaded boy paled. "Okay, good point."

    "As long as it's just things that would make Dad grin though…" The brothers shared a grin and Victor saw hints in Arthur's face of what looked a lot like their father's face at times like this. It was still a boy's face not a man's, but he thought the youngest son might wind up looking more like Hanse than he or Peter did.

    In contrast to their brother, Yvonne gave Victor a hug first, wrapping her arms around his ribs. "Do you have to go?" she asked plaintively.

    "I'm afraid so."

    She escaped then, going back to their mother, and swapped places with Kathy. The two girls wore almost matching dresses - mixing black with navy blue for Yvonne and black with bottle green for Kathy. The blonde gave him a pensive look. "Try not to get killed," she told him and Victor blinked at the hollow sound of her voice.

    "Are you alright?"

    "Missing dad," she said a little curtly and then shrugged. "Not that you don't. Just… one of those moments."

    "I get that." He caught her by the shoulders. "Ardan told me that Dad was really proud of your work with Corean and Coventry."

    Victor was pleased to see at least a weak smile on her face. "He was proud as punch of you too," his sister said.

    "I gather you have something new this year?" he probed gently.

    She nodded. "It's a bit of a mess. I'm not sure I'll get it done this year, really. I'm going to have to talk to my academic advisor about my other obligations."

    "Just focus on your final year," Victor advised. "If it's anything like the Nagelring's, it'll take all your energy."

    "That isn't really an option with… with Mom on Tharkad."

    He patted her shoulders awkwardly. He wasn't used to Kathy being taller than him, even if it wasn't by much. "If it leaves you falling asleep at your desk, you probably do need to cut back. Don't let them drag you off campus if you need the time for your work. It'll give you some time out of the public eye if you need it - I know I'm looking forward to being behind a military perimeter after all…" He gestured to indicate the complete circus that had surrounded laying Hanse Davion to rest.

    Kathy frowned at him. "I'm the senior royal on New Avalon," she said, as if to a simpleton. "I can't delegate to the kids…"

    "I'm not a kid," Arthur called indignantly from where he was talking to Peter.

    "Boy Scouts of New Avalon?" she shot back and Arthur flinched back from her, then ducking behind the middle brother to avoid their mother's questioning gaze. Victor saw Melissa look at Kathy and then relax at a little shake of the younger woman's head.

    That sort of silent communication was something he missed. Somewhere along the way, between the academy and then time in the field he'd fallen out of sync with the rest of his family.

    "What is it you want to do?" he asked, conscious that there wasn't much time before he had to board. In theory, the take off was at royal discretion, but disrupting the agreed flight plan was something not to be done without excellent reason.

    "My project?" she misunderstood. "Lycomb-Davion still have a license for the Guillotine heavy 'mech. We don't have the same parts that were used on it originally, but with some alterations we're thinking we can work with modern substitutes. Maybe even make it better than the SLDF model or the ones ComStar has."

    "Never settling for second best?" he asked wryly. "That sounds great."

    Kathy shrugged deprecatingly. "If we have the design ready on paper this semester, we can get our hands dirty and try assembling one before finals. It's if I have the time to do that. Dad would turn in his grave if I tried to skate on class requirements."

    "I think we both know you'd rather shave your hair back to boot length again than half-ass that sort of thing," he told her. He had seen pictures of her face after the haircut when she enrolled in NAIS. It had grown back out since - only freshmen needed the buzz cut - but Kathy had worn it most of the way down her back since kindergarten and her expression had been hilarious in the aftermath.

    "That and class," she said. "Including the field exercises, and I'll need to spend most of my days off up here."

    "No one should expect you to do public appearances until you've graduated," Victor assured her. "And once that's done, what are the odds you're stationed on New Avalon?"

    "As long as you're on the frontlines? Somewhere around one hundred percent," Kathy said dismissively. "I'm the spare, remember. One of us has to stay out of harm's way. I don't mean the public stuff though. Mom may be the First Prince but someone has to head up the family here and who else is there?"

    "I thought Hammond had that in hand?" Jerric Hammond Davion, the Duke of Argyle, served as Minister of the Crucis March in lieu of their mother, just as he had for Hanse Davion. In theory, it was the First Prince's role to do so but in practise there was always the need for someone to delegate the role off to. That was the reality of trying to manage a Successor State.

    But she made a face - one of the 'Victor just doesn't get it' expressions that he remembered her showing him so often when she was younger. "Officially, yes. Unofficially, someone has to turn up to remind people that he is speaking on our behalf." She shook her head again. "Maybe I should just drop out of the mechwarrior course and graduate as a technician. It would save me some of the field exercises."

    "Dad really would spin in his grave," Victor told her. "Besides, it wouldn't help. Tech students need to go out on the exercises to keep the gear going."

    "Another perfectly good solution shot down by reality." Kathy leaned over and gave him a hug. "I will miss you Victor," she said seriously. "Don't get your head shot off or I'll come over there and kill you."

    "I think there's something wrong with your logic," he told her, returning the embrace. "If I lose my head, I'll already be dead."

    "Why? It's not like you use it for anything?" she said sniffily. "Now go on, you're out of time."

    She was right and Victor joined Galen at the gangway while the family split up. He watched from there as Kathy led Arthur and Yvonne into the terminal and then it was time to get into a seat as the Barbarossa prepared to set out for the far side of the Inner Sphere.

    Victor felt the usual excitement at the thought. The stifling formalities of court could be set aside for the refreshing practicalities of leading his battalion. Maybe of the entire 'mech regiment, word was that the slot would be opening up shortly. His aunt Nondi Steiner had been vocally unhappy with some of the decisions made on Alyina, but there had been no time to rearrange officers at the time. Now that it looked like the Truce of Tukayyid was holding…
     
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    • Chapter 4

    Castle Davion, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    7 March 3053

    The halls of Castle Davion were full again, if for a more merry reason than her father's funeral. Officially this was one of the many charity events hosted by House Davion, in this case co-hosted by Kate and by her cousin from Argyle in his role as Minister of the Crucis March. As a result, the majority of guests were from that region of the Federated Commonwealth - mostly from the core worlds around New Avalon but a sprinkling from the very much more numerous Skid Row worlds around the edges of the Periphery which were to be the recipients of the largesse gathered/

    There were other reasons for the gathering however: informal discussions between the political and economical elites to lay groundwork for later formal meetings. While the Suns had never been as byzantine in its internal affairs as their Lyran brethren, such lobbying predated space flight - indeed, it certainly went back thousands of years before that accomplishment.

    Kate had to restrain herself from sighing in relief as one such meeting parted ways. The looks on those who remained made it clear that she hadn't entirely managed to hide the reaction.

    "You did well," J. Hammond Davion assured her, stretching his own arms. "I think that things are on course for what you want to achieve."

    "I hope so," Kate told him. "The easy part is over, at any rate."

    "You call redesigning an entire battlemech and building a prototype in less than a year the easy part?" he asked. Hammond wore the uniform of an AFFC marshal, although at the time he'd held the rank it had been the AFFS that he served in. His son and heir was a little older than Katherine, although at least he'd never tried to suggest that as the grounds of a dynastic union.

    She shrugged. "Fortunately I can delegate most of the hard parts."

    It was the third person in the room who answered the duke's question directly. "The tooling necessary to build the Guillotine will be the principal technical challenge," Dr Anna Banzai informed him. "That is beyond the curriculum of NAIS, and unless the princess wants to enroll for a more technical programme over the next few years, she will not be directly involved there. And then there is what my father assures me will be the very worst parts: contracting component manufacturers, finding a suitable spot for the factory to be built. Negotiating with local authorities, recruiting and training the workforce, setting up the administration." She shivered slightly. "My father has many horror stories from the battlefield, but nothing was worse than hearing about his negotiations with Defiance Industries."

    Hammond chuckled as if it was a joke but Kate knew that her academic advisor wasn't exaggerating in the slightest. The daughter of the infamous Dr Buckaroo Banzai, who had played a key role in establishing NAIS, Anna would much rather spend time in the labs and workshops than her office. Such negotiations were not her cup of tea.

    "I will need to keep a finger on the pulse of discussions," Kate continued, looking after the departing Lycomb-Davion Introtech executives. "But that probably won't be as intensive as my involvement over the last year."

    "I would hope not," Anna said a little reprovingly. "Don't think I was unaware of how many late nights you put in. If you'd pushed that much further I would have insisted on you dropping some of your courses, even if it pushed your graduation back."

    The cadet couldn't really argue the point. She'd been aware of the pressure and was glad it hadn't gone that far. Being held back, even as far as the secondary graduation date in the autumn for final year students who had just missed the cut-off complete the requirements, would have been impossible to keep out of the media. It could have been spun, but it would have cost some political favors and her father had always warned anyone suggesting he use the First Prince's legal right of censorship that pressuring the media was best done lightly, if at all. "I'm glad it didn't come to that."

    "So am I."

    "If you don't mind my asking," Hammond asked, pushing himself to his feet. "How are you doing? It's a long time since my own academy days."

    "I would say… ask my academic advisor," Kate said, passing the buck.

    Anna shook her head slightly. "It rests on your final exams, but barring a complete debacle there you will graduate on schedule. If you crush the La Mancha, you might scrape through to the top ten percent but I would advise against pushing your luck. No one is giving you command of a battalion the way they did your brother."

    "I'd turn it down if you tried," she assured the doctor. "Right now I just plan on pacing myself for the finals."

    "Good, that's exactly the advice I'd have given," Hammond told them. "I saw some promising cadets burn themselves out at the last minute. Pushing your limits is all very well but it's best to have an idea where they are first."

    "After the rush on this, I think the exams will come as a relief."

    Kate's elders exchanged laughs. "That is definitely not how they should feel," Anna warned her. "But you Davions always drive yourselves too hard."

    "At least we come by it honestly." The duke opened the door for them and waved them through in a gracious fashion. "I must circulate, so I shall see you later."

    "I'll freshen up first," Kate excused herself and headed towards the washroom. Anna followed her, the older woman saying nothing and only nodding to a few acquaintances as they passed.

    The ladies' washroom was empty as they entered - the Castle had been modified over the years to ensure that there was more than enough capacity for even the largest gathering. It would have detracted from the dignity of the Federated Suns to have long queues waiting for a limited number of toilets. Kate wasn't sure who had ensured a disproportionate number of facilities to favor ladies, but evidence suggested the modifications might date back to before the Davion Civil War. Which might, oddly, mean credit went to the Council of Regents who had included the treacherous Laura and Cassandra Davion.

    "I will be returning to NAIS," Anna told Kate once they had done their business and were using the sink. "I have work to do and going now may mean I get enough sleep myself."

    "I appreciate your lack of hypocrisy, Professor. Thank you for joining me today."

    "It would have been a shame not to see your project handed off to the industrial level," she replied evenly. "But I can't put myself through the formal negotiations, and I do have to complete the grading before finals take place. Rest assured, you and your team will be getting excellent scores for your work."

    Kate bowed her head. "I appreciate your help."

    "Good students are a teacher's pleasure."

    The door opened and cut that conversation short, the two older ladies entering well known to Kate. Her aunt Marie had been the first of Andrew Davion's children and she was now the last - her half-brothers Ian and Hanse lying buried in the tombs beneath the Castle. It was the first time she'd returned since the funeral, but that was still more frequent than normal.

    "Katherine," she greeted warmly and stepped close to kiss her niece on both cheeks. "You aren't getting enough sleep, dear."

    "I do mean to catch up."

    "Your father always said the same, but somehow it never quite seemed to happen."

    "Your highness. Professor." Marie's daughter-in-law, Kym Hasek-Davion, greeted them both formally.

    "I'm glad to see you both," Kate told them. "It's a long way from New Syrtis."

    "I should probably have stayed here after the funeral," Marie admitted. "I had not considered that you would be left alone, but… I am old enough to form strong habits, even if they are not wise."

    Kate shook her head and embraced the aging woman. "You are here now."

    "Yes, and I will stay until your graduation, at the least. Longer if you would like."

    "That means a great deal," the young blond said.

    "I will have to go back to New Syrtis," Kym added her own position, "But not until after you graduate. With Morgan away…" She gestured helplessly. Her husband was Duke of New Syrtis, traditionally the leader of the Capellan March, but his duties as Marshal of Armies kept him far too busy to fill that role on a regular basis.

    "Long enough to give Melissa a piece of my mind," Marie continued.

    Dr Banzai, halfway out of the door as the royals conferred, stopped and gave Kate a curious look.

    Kate closed her eyes briefly and then shook her head, letting her advisor know that the plans had not changed. "Mother will not be able to make it, Aunt Marie."

    "What?" the redhead said indignantly.

    "She can only afford to visit once this year, the Estates General are still in turmoil," Kate offered the excuse. "As much as she'd like to come for my graduation, she can do more good being here when the royal court convenes in fall."

    "By that point you could be assigned away," Marie said indignantly.

    "I don't think that that's likely," Kym corrected her. "Do you know where you are going to be assigned, Kate?"

    Kate leant against the sinks. "It's no secret," she replied. "Unless I completely fail my finals, I expect to be sent to the New Avalon March Militia."

    That got a nod from the Duchess of New Syrtis. "A good compromise. The cadet cadres are all covering for regiments sent to face the Clans, so if you joined one of them it could leave you stationed out in some backwater. Normally that would be fine, it's what was planned for Victor, but not at the moment."

    "I always knew that my assignment would be political," Kate told them. "What really matters is that I will have family there when I graduate." She hugged Marie again and then embraced Kym as well. "It means a lot that you've come all this way for me."


    Chapter 5

    Red Clay Canyon, Blue Hole
    Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
    19 June 3053

    The canyon wasn't the tight confines that Victor remembered from the mountains of Twycross, but it was still narrow enough that it would have constrained the Clans' mobility and mitigated the reach of their weapons. Victor nodded in approval as the jeep drove up the highway.

    Work crews repairing the highway, which was an important transit route, were mixed with those salvaging 'mechs wrecked in the fighting here. The canyon floor was littered with them, like fallen giants slain in some battle of Norse mythology. The scene was set further by the sprinkling of snow for it was winter in this hemisphere of Blue Hole.

    "This is as far as the Falcons came," Colonel Andrea Stirling said from the front of the jeep they were riding in. "We needed to stop them before they got out onto the coast. The petro-chemical sites along there would have burned very cinematically and it would have played merry hell with the economy, never mind fuel for the garrison here."

    "I hate to think how much shipping would have been tied down bringing in gasoline and diesel for the mechanized regiments here," agreed Galen.

    Victor couldn't help but agree, although he was also aware (since it had been quite bluntly stated in the briefing) that the people of Blue Hole would have probably been more impacted by the impaired ability to keep their power grids, trains and heavy industry going - at least at affordable rates, given how much the costs of the remaining sources of oil-based products would have risen.

    No one in the Intelligence Secretariat was prepared to commit that the Clans didn't know how high the stakes would have been. It was possible the Jade Falcons had just been here for what they claimed: to acquire the current oil stockpiles. They did have several tanker dropships suited to carry the refined oils, so Victor leant towards that interpretation. But they might also have been aware that a fight over the infrastructure around the oil stores could have crippled the defenses of Blue Hole and significantly undermined confidence in the AFFC's ability to defend their people.

    "Fortunately, Stirling's Fusiliers made sure that it didn't happen," he said out loud. "How bad were casualties?"

    The colonel reached over and tapped the driver on the shoulder, who pulled off the road onto one of the low rises that marked the canyon floor. "Meat or metal?" Stirling asked bluntly.

    "Both." Victor stood up and scanned the floor. More than thirty 'mechs were lying in need of recovery. Most had the tartan patterns favored by Northwind Highlanders, but others had the olive green of the Jade Falcons. "I got some reports through but it was all 'so far as we know'."

    The Tenth Lyran Guards hadn't even been scheduled to go to Blue Hole but they had been on a jumpship within range so they had diverted to arrive via pirate point within hours of the raid. Even so, they had missed the entire battle and - understandably - detailed After Action Reports had not been the first priority.

    Stirling stepped out of the jeep and looked up at him. "I had a battalion covering the canyon, and they rammed ten 'mechs and two dozen toads down it," she said grimly. "One company of your hover cav made it here in time to die, the poor buggers. I have eleven 'mechs still fit to fight, although with the chance to salvage, we can make that good."

    "I believe your contract covers full salvage rights," Victor agreed immediately. "Obviously we'd like to look at - and perhaps purchase - samples of anything we haven't seen before. But the material is yours to use and sell, take that as a given."

    "Fair and good," the mercenary agreed. "As for my lads and lasses, I have twenty souls in hospital, most will make a good recovery in time. Your tankers were less fortunate, not one in ten made it out."

    "Clan weapons are murderous against lightly armored targets," he agreed.

    Hovercraft relied heavily on speed to avoid taking shattering damage, they were usually too light to carry useful armor as well as a significant weapon payload. The Condors he could see were larger than most of their ilk but against Clan weapons… well, it would have taken top notch drivers to survive. These had been second and third line troops, doing their best.

    Five deaths among the mercenaries was right around the normal level of fatality. The important thing, was that the Clans had been engaged at only three to one odds and lost. "Ten 'mechs can't have been their whole force."

    "They had at least two other forces," confirmed Stirling. "Most of a Cluster. We believe they were trying to run some of the other routes through to the plains but one of those passes has been impassable for over a century - I guess they had old maps. The other, we mined it and blew." Her face tightened. "The locals are not happy, it'll be four months to clear and then longer to get the monorail back in service."

    "But better that than what would have happened if they broke through."

    The mercenary snorted. "Glad that you see that, Prince Victor. If you'd do us the favor of reminding the locals? They don't have to love us, but it'd be appreciated if they'd let us do what we're hired for."

    Victor glanced over at Galen. "Give me a list and I'll see what I can do. I'm not saying I can work miracles, but sometimes my title counts for something. If you want me to visit your wounded, we can make a thing of it: wounded heroes in the headlines, particularly victorious heroes, can sway public opinion."

    "I'll ask them if they mind," Stirling said a bit grudgingly, "Don't be surprised if some of the lasses ask for a kiss from a prince."

    "Given you all wear kilts, how can I tell if they're lads or lasses?"

    She started to laugh and turned it into a snort. "If you need the help, I fear for your ability to continue your dynasty."

    Galen stepped out of the jeep and took out a camera. "Do you want some holos for your report?"

    "It wouldn't hurt," Victor agreed. "And I can send some to Kathy. She'd appreciate some good imagery of Clan 'mechs."

    "Your sister?" asked Stirling. "I heard she graduated from your father's fancy academy last month."

    "Top of her classes in mechanical engineering," Victor agreed proudly, deciding not to mention that Kathy's grades in battlemech combat had been significantly lower. She was certainly competent, but he was very happy she wasn't bucking for a combat assignment the way Peter no doubt would be when he came out of the Nagelring in a couple more years - one year if he kept crunching classes as if he was afraid the Clans wouldn't be there to fight.

    Galen started snapping images of the battlefield as Victor questioned Stirling, trying to build up a picture of how the Jade Falcons had fought. He had to be careful about how he phrased some of his queries, not wishing to sound as if he was diminishing the accomplishments. The Jade Falcon forces hadn't quite come in dumb, but at the same time it sounded like some of them had been more aggressive than was wise. Stirling pointed out elements of one Star, three of them Kit Foxes that had clearly over-extended, pushing down the canyon when they would have been better holding back and using their better weapons to bring down Highlander 'mechs from range. Kit Foxes were only thirty tons and while the Clans could squeeze more protection per ton out of their armor materials, they weren't that much better. It was one of the areas they'd advanced least in.

    Not all of the Falcons had been so careless though. It seemed to Victor as if around half the force had been inexperienced and mixed in with veterans to get their feet wet. Clan training seemed to turn out technically proficient warriors but the ability to read a battlefield and react intelligently was harder to learn than simply shooting straight or even managing one's heat.

    "I'm impressed," he said at last, looking at the Orion that had led the Highlander's final counter-charge. The 'mech had gone down to an elemental swarm, but that let the three Vindicators behind it get close enough to burn down a Clan Nova that had been supporting the battle armored infantry and open up a flank for Highlander light 'mechs to push past and threaten the Falcons' line of retreat. "Very impressed. This was your first deployment against the Clans?"

    "Aye," the mercenary agreed. "I imagine we'll see them again."

    "Very probably. They may even seek you out. Beating them once will mean earning a victory against you carries more prestige in their eyes."

    "Let them come," the Highlander said pugnaciously. "We've two battalions ready to fight, and the other will be back at two-thirds readiness in a month."

    "Good to hear," Victor assured her. "If you decide not to keep the omnimechs, we're willing to negotiate payment in cash or equipment."

    "I'll see what our techs say," Stirling said cautiously. "If we can use it, it'd be a fine thing, but if not…" she kicked at a clod of frozen soil. "Well, we have our own engineers back on Northwind who might want to see what they can make of it."

    The prince shrugged. "Your choice." We could do with more troops like this, he thought. I should pass the word to Morgan, if we can hire more Highlanders it will keep the Falcons guessing.


    Chapter 6

    Flensburg, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    22 June 3053

    The sun beat down on Kate unmercifully. It was local winter, for Flensburg was south of the equator, but it wasn't very far south and she was glad that full dress uniforms weren't expected today, even though it was a formal occasion.

    She saluted along with the other officers as Duke James Sandoval walked past them on review. Each mechwarrior in her battalion stood in front of their mech, the technicians stood behind and other support staff formed a block even further behind. The shaft of the spear, while the mechwarriors formed the point. Twenty-four mechs was a lot of metal, even though most of them were fairly light. Kate's Guillotine was one of only three heavies, the others being a pair of JagerMechs that had yet to be upgraded with modern technology. She'd bought the Guillotine prototype from NAIS rather than claim one from the small reserve maintained for House Steiner-Davion - she would rather rely upon a 'mech that she understood inside and out.

    The duke - a famous general in his own right - examined each of the mechs and mechwarriors in turn. Kate tried not to show any sign of recognising Sandoval as anything other than the senior officer visiting them. He knew better, of course, but the act was important for unit morale.

    "A fine force," Sandoval concluded firmly when he had walked through their entire formation. "In good condition, and ready to fight. But I believe you may be somewhat under strength."

    "Yes sir." Leftenant General Payne's response was perfectly pitched to carry. "Several of our comrades have volunteered for transfer into commands on the frontlines."

    "That will not do." The Field Marshal of the Draconis March didn't crack the slightest smile at the staged conversation. "The defense of the capital cannot be compromised. Permit me to rectify this matter."

    At the signal, twelve new 'mechs strode into view from the hangars. The crowd of mostly civilians watching from stands overlooking the parade ground oohed and aaahed at the sight. The informed amongst them may have realized that these were an unfamiliar design, fresh from the factory.

    Twelve Watchman medium 'mechs joined the ranks of the New Avalon Crucis March Militia. Kate had seen the specifications back when her father agreed to jointly fund the production of them. They were good enough - not the best, but they were affordable and capable. Only forty tons, but they were built on the same chassis and engine as the larger Enforcer, which gave them a better power to weight ratio - and almost as importantly, the spare parts would be easy to come by. Their armament was mostly lasers, which spoke well of their battlefield endurance.

    The mechwarriors dismounted, each of them already a member of the CMM, but the Duke of Robinson marched down their ranks along with Payne (who was a duke himself, if of a far less important world) and welcomed them all anyway. Backs straightened as he went past, such was the presence of the leader of the Draconis March.

    Once the formalities were done, the battalion's mechwarriors marched into one of the hangars where tables had been laid out for a reception of local dignitaries. The 'mechs themselves would be taken back to the hangars by techs, while the important business of reinforcing public relations went on inside.

    Kate had pinned her hair up under her cap and hoped to avoid too much attention. Her posting to the CMM wasn't a secret, but which of their bases she was at was more confidential. Much of the unit served in and around Avalon City in ceremonial or security roles, but Flensburg was where they did most of their training. As a novice lance commander, she was entirely happy to be here.

    As an older sister, thousands of kilometers further from her siblings… now there she had concerns.

    Thoughts of her family were set aside though as Duke Sandoval beelined towards her before the other guests arrived. "Leftenant Steiner-Davion," he greeted her.

    "Sir."

    Sandoval smirked slightly. "Given your background in engineering, I'd be interested in your opinion on the Watchman."

    Kate folded her arms behind her back. "I haven't had a chance to take one out on a checkride yet, although I understand a list is being drawn up. The specifications I've seen make it look like an excellent medium 'mech and that's certainly something we need."

    "Now that does worry me. If it is too good, your brother will be calling for it to be pitted against the Clans, the way he wants more of our regiments on the frontline."

    What was that about? "I may be out of the loop there, sir."

    "I do not require a 'sir' every other word," Sandoval told her. "You're not a cadet any more. Your brother has requested additional regiments of the Northwind Highlanders to face the Clans. They're some of the best forces we have left in the Draconis March and Northwind lies too close to the Terran Corridor for me to be comfortable about losing them."

    The achilles heel of the Federated Commonwealth was the relatively narrow section of space linking its two halves, near the neutral motherworld. The Fourth Succession War had made it more than a bottleneck, but losing even a few worlds there would raise the prospect of critical trade and communications being threatened.

    "I see your concerns," Kate admitted, "But I simply do not know what is being requested and what is being offered to replace the Highlanders in such a critical spot."

    "I suppose that's fair," the duke said. "Could I impose on you to send me your impressions of the Watchman once you have tried it?"

    "I'd like to get hands on," she agreed. "In the cockpit and with the techs as well. How it fights is half the battle, but… well, you know what a Clint is like to maintain."

    "Never used one myself, I don't hate my techs that much." Sandoval laughed at his own joke. The Clint had been built for the Star League by a firm that had the 'clever' idea of using non-standard parts to guarantee them constant orders for replacement components. Since the factory had been bombed flat in the Succession Wars, generations of technicians had cursed Andoran Industries' executives for that decision and the remaining stocks of Clint parts went for ridiculous prices.

    Kate chuckled as well. "The refit packs being sent out help a little," she noted, "I don't think they go far enough though."

    "We need every 'mech we can get," he grunted, eyes narrowing. "But you're a clever young lady. What are you thinking?"

    "I left a little challenge for my underclassmen at NAIS," she told him frankly. "Build a Clint or something equivalent to its new specs, using commonly available components."

    "Do I hear a rival to Robinson's new 'mechs?" the duke rumbled, gesturing in the direction of the 'mechs outside.

    "Something to compliment them." She met his gaze unflinchingly. "A lot of resources are being thrown into developing advanced designs to close the gap with the Clans, but we also lost hundreds of battlemechs during the invasion and with the price tags I've been hearing, we cannot afford to replace them with top of the line options. 'Mechs being 'mechs, the idea that another design entering production would cut sales of the Watchman is laughable."

    "There's still a limit to the funds available," he grumbled. "I hear you are pushing for more Guillotines like the one I saw out there?"

    "I'm keeping an eye on negotiations," Kate admitted. "Even as one of those re-designing it, it's not the most powerful 'mech ever built, but any sane military builds its strength around workhorse types like the Guillotine or the Watchman. It's far too early to say if the Clint could be redesigned to fill the same role."

    Leftenant General Payne approached the pair of them. "Field Marshal, Leftenant, our guests are beginning to arrive."

    "Thank you, Russel." Sandoval rubbed his chin. "I will give the idea thought, young lady. Let me know your thoughts on my matter and we shall see what comes together. I do have something in the works for the designers of the Watchman, but they may have room for a joint project with NAIS if your underclassmen live up to your own work."

    Kate nodded. "Thank you. I'll see if I can find out what Victor had in mind about the Highlanders."

    "That would be appreciated."

    Sandoval walked away towards the entrance where civilians were beginning to enter the reception area. Payne watched him go and then turned to Kate. "Your highness?"

    "It seems I cannot avoid business of the realm," she said, wishing she could grab Victor by the collar and demand some answers. He was half the realm away, but that was no excuse for irritating one of his most powerful future vassals. The Draconis March included more than a hundred star systems and stretched from Terra to the periphery - almost six hundred light years of what had once been the most hotly contested region of space in the Inner Sphere. Accustomed to having scores of the best regiments available at his command, it was no surprise that James Sandoval was concerned to find his command area reduced to militia and a few nodal reaction forces.

    Certainly it was unlikely that Theodore Kurita would turn his attention away from the Clans, but it was still alarming to the inhabitants of those worlds to have their defenders stripped away.

    Payne clapped her shoulder, drawing her back to the moment. "I hope the matter works out, Leftenant. But for now we have guests and the New Avalon CMM prides itself on good relations with the public. I know you're familiar with some of that from your own life, but there are some differences in uniform so I want you to stay at my side for this reception and keep a close eye on how we handle these things."
     
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    • Chapter 7

    Broken Hope, Morges
    Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
    25 February 3054

    This time the Revenants had not arrived too late to participate in the battle.

    Victor side-stepped fire from a Warhawk, a pair of PPC beams searing the frigid air of Morges less than a meter from the arm of Prometheus. The cold weather was allowing greater use of energy weapons than usual, something that enabled the Clan Omnimech with its four hot-running extended range PPCs. Even so, the Jade Falcon had staggered his fire and he'd tracked Victor's evasion successfully with his other arm. The Dire Wolf staggered as the other two PPCs hit home, tearing through the armor over the right flank and arm of Victor's ride.

    The same circumstances allowed Victor to make full use of his own lasers though and he hit back with all five of them. The trio of large pulse lasers stitched shots across the blocky omnimech's legs - which had already taken a beating from crossing the minefield covering this route across the ice fields. The extended range laser in his left arm missed, melting the ice behind the smaller assault mech, but the right arm laser hit as well and Victor could see myomers through the damaged armor on the Warhawk's left leg.

    The Tenth Lyran Guards had the high ground - a ridge of rock had survived centuries of grinding ice and left a lip of earth taller than most battlemechs with ice piled up behind it to a similar level. The advancing Jade Falcons were throwing an impressive amount of fire up at them, but it at least screened their 'mechs legs from the fire.

    An explosion dragged Victor's attention to the left and he saw a fireball where Dan McGregor's Centurion had been. A Nova had managed to get close enough to engage with its massive battery of medium lasers and opened the similarly sized 'mech up, violating the ammunition stores within.

    As tempting as it was to turn his guns on the medium 'mech, Victor's plan called for abiding by the Clan's honor code… to an extent. That called for single combat and if the commander didn't stick to his plan, how could he expect his warriors to?

    Instead he opened up on the Warhawk again. Not yet in range to use his autocannon, he continued to fire on its legs, only hitting with three lasers this time as the mechwarrior had anticipated the low shots and slowed at the last minute. It still stripped away more armor and the Jade Falcon 'mech was left limping as myomer bundles in both legs were damaged by Victor's fire.

    The return fire was more accurate, not less so, blasting away the arctic camo from across the chest of the mighty Dire Wolf and Victor saw that armor coverage across the right flank was dangerously low. Clan PPCs hit absurdly hard.

    "First company," he ordered. "Pull back! Sabine, get ready!"

    Fourteen of his sixteen-strong company managed to disengage, pulling back and down the slope behind the ridge. Beside McGregor's Centurion' they had lost Harper's Archer and Victor saw the heavy 'mech's cockpit had been smashed open by a gauss rifle shot.

    From the look of Galen's Crusader, Victor thought that another exchange of fire would have doubled those casualties, the one after that would have shattered his command company. But the Revenants didn't have to keep fighting on those terms - hopefully.

    "My congratulations to Clan Jade Falcon," he transmitted in the clear, "my company is no longer able to continue the fight." Then he grinned. "Sabine! You're up!"

    Baker Company was already moving, of course, and on the tactical display he could see the Jade Falcon 'mechs that had started to rush forwards to turn the withdrawal into a rout recoil as the fresh Lyran 'mechs crested the rise and poured fire into them.

    Not all of Hauptmann Sabine Steiner's company had the long range armament needed for the initial engagement, which was why Victor had claimed the first wave position for himself. But the Clan warriors had been drawn forwards into the engagement bracket that Sabine needed and they were firing at already damaged omnimechs.

    The exchange was no more one-sided than the last had been - a JagerMech exploded and he saw Sabine's pristine Falconer stripped of its Gauss Rifle as shots from what was probably the same Warhawk he'd been fighting ripped the arm apart, detonating the capacitors.

    But there were also triumphant reports - a cry of "Got one!" marked the first Lyran kill.

    Checking the wider situation, Victor saw that the Tenth's aerowing was succeeding in keeping the skies neutral. They hadn't driven the Jade Falcon fighters from the sky, but they were keeping them from strafing and bombing the forces on the ground. That was all he had really hoped for, the numbers were slightly favoring the Lyran Guards but not by enough to aim for more than a deadlock.

    On the flanks, both his other battalions were doing the same dance that he was, wearing down the Jade Falcons as they tried to push north. Losses were mounting, but it was an affordable price for the damage being done to the enemy.

    A skull-faced Atlas in Sabine's force opened up with its autocannon and Victor looked up, realizing that the Clans must have reached almost point-blank range. Only ten of Sabine's reinforced company were still standing, two 'mechs having fallen back with major damage and four more had joined McGregor and Harper's mechs on the ground.

    But five of the Jade Falcon trinary had fallen.

    "Sabine," he ordered his cousin. "It's time."

    "Pulling back," she ordered. "Jade Falcons, I congratulate you for forcing my company to yield the field!"

    And as her Falconer backed up, Charlie Company of the Revenants rushed forwards to take their place. Chuck Leary's company had the lightest mechs in the battalion, but they also mounted the most short-ranged missiles and with multiple armor penetrations, the Jade Falcons were highly vulnerable.

    "Stravag!" someone cursed on the general channel as two more Omnimechs dropped under the first salvos.

    A Commando toppled backwards, then a Griffin and Hatchetman leapt forwards and over the ridge to engage point blank.

    "Dammit, Chuck!" Victor hissed. Both the Lyran 'mechs vanished almost immediately from the tactical display but a pair of Jade Falcons did as well…

    "Victor," Galen called. "General Simons reports his boys are in position."

    "Tell him to go loud," he snapped. Second Battalion was holding well but he didn't like the condition of Third. If he had to turn this into a melee or re-engage after withdrawing then the Falcons would go berserk. He might still win, but it would be costly.

    Thirty seconds later and with two more of Charlie company out of action, the squeal of bagpipes crashed out across the open channel. "Hello Falcons," Leftenant General Simons's brogue cut in over it. "D'ye remember us!"

    New icons sprang up behind the Jade Falcons as Lyran 'mechs pulled themselves free of the pits they'd been buried in, waiting powered down as the Clan Cluster rushed past them.

    "Damn you, Victor Davion!" a clipped voice snarled. "We had you beaten!"

    "I really don't know why you refuse to remember I'm also a Steiner," Victor replied. "And yes, you did force me to withdraw. But that doesn't mean I can't pull back behind my armored companies and leave you caught between them and the Boys of Summer."

    "Steiner is an honorable bloodname and you are not worthy of it!" the Jade Falcon hissed, but the markers of their forces were already pulling back, every 'mech still able to move headed back towards where their dropships lay. If they moved fast, they might make it before the Seventeenth Skye Rangers cut them off - it hadn't been possible to predict their paths well enough to close every route and spreading out to try would have left the Rangers too dispersed to be effective.

    "Shall we pursue?" asked Chuck eagerly.

    "I think not," Victor replied sharply. Charlie Company was not in good shape. "The Rangers have this. All Lyran Guards, consolidate and pick up our wounded. Infantry, move in and check the Jade Falcon 'mechs carefully. If some of their warriors were left behind, they may be willing to die to take some of you with them."

    Armored personnel carriers rolled forwards and Victor was pleased to see Sabine had her surviving mechs kicking down the barricades that had been set up to block the easiest routes up the ridge, opening the routes for the supporting infantry. "Sabine's shaping up pretty well," he told Galen privately.

    "She was only a year behind you at the Nagelring," his aide replied. "And she's been keen to learn from everyone who has faced the Clans before."

    "Is that why you've had dinner with her twice," Victor asked innocently.

    "I decline to comment," Galen said primly.

    The prince chuckled and filed away the idea of seeing if Galen and Kathy's budding friendship might lead to more - at least for now. The two had seemed to be getting on well, but after his aide's patience over Omi Kurita, it would be ill-mannered of him to interfere in any romance Galen might be embarking upon.

    "Leftenant General Steiner-Davion." Simons signaled from his command lance, which was holding position behind the bulk of the Rangers. "My congratulations on a well organized operation. Whatever the Falcons say, you are indeed worthy to be a Steiner."

    "I will take that in the spirit intended, General Simons," Victor replied. "I know my house has not always done well by the Skye Rangers." The only reason the Seventeenth had survived the Clan Invasion was mutiny by a jumpship captain who had disobeyed orders to enter the Barcelona system and evacuate the 'mech regiment. One ship alone had not been enough to bring the infantry and armor, meaning that most of the Regimental Combat Team had been left behind. Cashiering the general who refused to send jumpships for a full evacuation had not healed the wound.

    Simons grunted. "We have a long memory for the wrongs done to us. Today we have the chance for revenge on the Jade Falcons for what they did to us on Barcelona. My boys will not forget that you gave us this chance."

    "Barcelona was liberated almost two years ago," Victor reminded him. "We plan to rotate the garrison there soon. Do you, by any chance, know a regiment of Mechwarriors willing to be deployed so far from Skye?"

    The question got a startled chuckle from the Ranger's commander. "Are you offering, lad?"

    "Some things should be offered, not ordered."

    "Aye," Simons allowed. "Aye, the Seventeenth will be proud to return to Barcelona. I cannae promise the Falcons won't take it back, but if they try then they'll pay the piper for doing so. We have their measure now."

    "We do." Victor didn't like the over-confidence, but the Seventeenth Skye Rangers were one of the finest regiments in the AFFC and anything that reinforced their loyalty was worth it. The Clans were no longer a surprise, but every lesson learned about them had driven home just how dangerous they were. Less than half the Cluster of 'mechs that had struck Morges had survived to retreat, but they had cost him far more than their number and even now they were bleeding the Skye Rangers as they raced back towards their dropships. The bloody-minded Rangers were continuing to hound them, but it was looking like no more than two or three more would be defeated, and that would cost the Boys of Summer at least that many.

    We can pay that cost if we must, the prince thought. But what will be left of the AFFC if we do?


    Chapter 8

    Fox's Den, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    13 December 3054

    The news would hit the media tomorrow. The delay was a courtesy, to let the AFFC have their statements prepared. The raw data was on Kate's desk though, courtesy of her family. Most leftenants kept their desks in a shared office, but the amount of classified information she saw meant that she'd been give a secure space to review it.

    Deployment back to Avalon City had been refreshing in some ways, choking in others. But this news. Kate re-read the messages and leant back in her chair rubbing her temples.

    A knock on her door had the blonde reflexively slap the lockdown controls on her console. She worked her way around the tight space of the cubicle to unlock the door. It might be a private office but it was still sized for her rank, which didn't entitle her to much more here in Fox's Den, where even a Kommandant might not be trusted to do much more than fetch coffee.

    "Hi!" Clara Rowan greeted her. "Ready to go grab dinner."

    Kate glanced back at her desk.

    "No!" the other leftenant in her company exclaimed. "Come on, Kate! Not again!"

    "Sorry, Clara." This was the third time she'd had to cancel going out with the other junior officers, meaning she'd missed more than half the gatherings since being deployed back to the capital.

    "The Inner Sphere is always on fire somewhere," Clara chided her. "You need to live for yourself sometime. I'd understand if you had a hot date…"

    Kate chuckled. "Given that we have to maintain the dignity of the regiment in or out of uniform, it's not like I'd get up to too much if I did." Regulations were tight for the New Avalon CMM: their deployments were too visible for General Payne to accept even the slightest gaffe. They might not have seen action since the Fourth Succession War, but they saw the public almost every day.

    The other leftenant folded her arms under her chest. "And this isn't an excuse for you to be digging out old technical specifications again?"

    "I've never canceled on you for that," she edged around the truth. She'd never canceled but there were a couple of times that she had declined invitations in order to make time for research.

    Clara gave her a suspicious look and Kate raised her hands. "You'll probably hear about it in the news tomorrow."

    "It's not your brother, right?"

    "As far as I know, he's still enjoying his romance with frontline combat duty," the younger officer assured him. "I swear, if he loses his 'mech, he'll moon around like he's been widowed."

    "At last, some way that royalty is like the rest of us," Clara chuckled and then patted Kate's shoulder. "Dispossession is nothing to joke about, Kate. It happened to my uncle back when he was with the Deneb Light Cavalry."

    "How did he cope?"

    Clara's smile was swept away. "He didn't."

    Kate flinched back. "I'm sorry. I didn't know that."

    "I don't usually bring it up." Clara forced her smile back up. "This is why you should spend more time getting to know us!"

    "You're right. I'll try to catch up to you," she promised. "I don't know how long this will take, but keep a seat for me." That shouldn't be a problem, they'd reserved enough seats for everyone.

    "Will do."

    Kate watched her comrade depart and then went back to her console, unlocking it and reading the reports for the third time. This would be a lot of ammunition for the voices who were already complaining about her mother's leadership.

    Considering her options, she checked the clock and then selected a rarely used commcode. "Hello. This is Leftenant Steiner-Davion. Please ask the Field Marshal if he has any time for me to visit before he finishes for the evening."

    The sergeant major on the other end of the line didn't hesitate. "Of course, Leftenant. The Field Marshal's last appointment just arrived, so if you come right in then you can see him right after that. I'll let security know to expect you."

    "That is much appreciated," Kate said, knowing that no other leftenant in the Fox's Den could have had that request approved. Most Colonels would have had to wait and at least been asked why they wanted the meeting. Another privilege that she hadn't really earned.

    Setting her console to cover for her absence, as she didn't expect to return before morning, Kate checked her uniform in the mirror on the back of the door. The face that looked back was regal and confident. It clearly wasn't her, but the uniform was immaculate.

    The CMM's portion of the Fox's Den was one of the more shallow sections; they were part of the security, not a core function of the subterranean headquarters complex. Kate took a monorail to one of the checkpoints leading deeper, where grim-looking men and women with no rank tabs and black uniforms checked her pass and then required she submit to an optical scan to match her against their database.

    Another monorail crept through a hydroponic farm intended to feed everyone in the Den if it was ever cut off from outside supply, and then through a residential area where artificial lights played across apartment buildings that housed the permanent internal security detachment and staff officers who elected not to live outside.

    Finally the train penetrated several bulkheads and Kate disembarked at another security checkpoint. She was one of the few heading in at this time of day. Several dozen officers and NCOs - more the former than the latter - were waiting for the train and the crowd shuffled around her to board, barely giving her room to get through.

    The security check was even more stringent this time, including a patdown and being swept several times with sensor wands before she went in. Only after this was she allowed to enter an elevator that led down to the most secure levels of the Den. Kate believed there were only two ways to enter these floors - this one and the dedicated monorail from Castle Davion, for use by the First Prince, his Champion and other high officers alone. Unfortunately, she didn't have clearance to use it herself or she could have commuted from her apartments there every day.

    Kate's destination was one of the offices adjoining the main strategic planning center where the high command would gather to plan operations across the entire Inner Sphere. She didn't try to enter that holy of holies, going directly to the outer office of the man she was here to see.

    The sergeant-major greeted her warmly. "Would you like some coffee, Leftenant? The Field Marshal will be a little longer."

    "I'm fine, thank you." She was waved to a couch and ignored the magazines available on a table in the corner to look at the painting on the wall opposite. A Battlemaster in the colors of the Davion Guard was fighting against black and green 'mechs. The background was dark and it took her a moment to recognise the skyline as that of Avalon City, with Castle Davion in the background.

    Kate had never been here before, much less known what was on the wall.

    The door opening dragged her out of staring at the artwork. She stood respectfully as two naval officers - an admiral and her aide - made their exit. Turning to the door, she saw the man she was visiting leaning on the door frame. "You've never seen it before?" he asked.

    "No." The rest of the New Avalon CMM hated hearing of that battle, the fight they should have been there for but instead had been on a rare off-world deployment when the 'Death Commandos' tried to destroy NAIS.

    "My mother was mad as hell at Hanse for that," he said, indicating her father's battlemech, clearly in the middle of his famous defense of NAIS in the final days of the Fourth Succession War. "She said it was because he took a stupid risk by going in alone to reinforce Team Banzai, but she never corrected my father when he said she was just mad she had to stay down here while Hanse went out to have fun."

    "Fun?" Kate said and then shrugged. "I could see it either way."

    "There's usually more than one truth to a war story," Jackson Davion admitted, his lined face creased with amusement. "Come along, Katie. I assume you're here in your royal role, not your military one?"

    "Yes sir."

    "I think we're hats off," the commander of the Federated Suns state command, and third-ranking officer of the entire AFFC told her. "I'm fairly sure you're off duty and god knows, I want to be."

    Kate gave the picture another look and followed him into the office. Jackson ignored the desk and indicated an armchair in one corner of the sizable office. He sank into the other with a sigh. "Getting old is no fun," he said, "Beats the alternative, of course, but I'd swap places with your brother in a heartbeat."

    "I'm not sure he'd take that deal."

    "Of course not, he's not a fool." The graying officer shook his head. "If he did I would have doubts he was fit for the responsibilities. I'm sorry you got dragged here rather than get the chance to serve in a line regiment. Even if you don't plan on a military career, it's a chance to live a life outside of royal expectations. I hope you get some time for it, outside of the fishbowl."

    "If Victor comes back, I'll take the chance," Kate said agreeably. "I'd have gone to a cadet cadre if he'd chosen to stay here. I didn't qualify for direct posting."

    Jackson smiled. "We all serve in our own ways. You may not excel in the same areas as Victor, but believe me, there are a number of officers who were hoping to get you in a staff position on the basis of your technical projects. That's not something Victor would do as well, if at all." He rested his hands on the arms of his chair. "But that isn't what you came for, is it?"

    "No, si… no." Kate caught herself. "I wanted to talk to you about Bryceland."

    "Ah."

    "I realize that there's nothing I can do with the CMM," she admitted. Bryceland was on the border with the Draconis Combine and not far from the Outworlds Alliance, headquarters of a defense zone. The local March Militia was stretched covering the region with only the support of a single Training Battalion on the nearby world of Tancredi IV. They had been badly out of position when Fuchida's Fusiliers returned to raid the world. "But what will be done?"

    Jackson sighed heavily. "The truth is, Katie, there is little we can do."

    "It's less than three years since they hit Tancredi IV!" she exclaimed. "They loaded up with advanced lasers then, now they've re-equipped from our own stockpiles. This is a growing threat on our border."

    "I know," he said calmingly. "I've had this very same conversation today, I assure you. But there are two things we would need in order to address that threat."

    Kate gave him a questioning look.

    "We don't know where they are based out of - or even if they have a permanent base yet. They've been seen repeatedly around the Outworlds Alliance, but also as far afield as Antallos and the Mica Majority. We'd be shooting blind - sending a force out into the darkness of the periphery without the slightest trail to follow. The Intelligence Secretariat is working on it, but for now we have nothing."

    She lowered her gaze to study her hands, folded in her lap. "I understand, but it's not an answer that will be welcome."

    "Some answers aren't. And the other part is unfortunately worse," he admitted. "Even if we knew where they were, we have too few forces to muster a response force. Bryceland isn't the only region that's understrength. The only regions that wouldn't be left bare if I broke off a regimental combat team to hunt the Fusiliers are along the Capellan border and we cannot trust Chancellor Liao. If we show him weakness, we must assume he will take advantage and that will cost us far more than this attack did."

    "You're right," she admitted. "That is even less satisfying."

    "Twelve years ago, we could free up a regimental combat team to take and occupy a pirate haven like Tortuga, without worrying too much about our other borders," he said sympathetically. "Unfortunately, it's not twelve years ago. Anti-piracy operations have always taken second place to defending our borders against invaders."

    Kate lifted her hands and rubbed her face. "In this case pirates that started off as our own alienated mercenaries."

    Jackson frowned. "The Fusiliers are quick to claim that they were the wronged party," he said firmly, "But they are the ones who chose to turn to piracy rather than fight the Clans."

    "And yet, to be a devil's advocate, they were being sent without access to refit kits and other advanced gear," she pointed out. "However inflated their claims are, they can be damaging not only to public opinion but also to mercenaries in our employ. I know Victor has called for additional Northwind Highlander forces to be redeployed. I imagine that the Fusilier's words may be brought up in negotiations."

    The old man scowled. "That arrangement has been secured already, but no doubt you are right about how it will affect future contract negotiations for mercenaries being sent to the frontlines. Do you have any suggestions about how we can mitigate the effect?"

    The young woman shook her head. "Nothing yet. If I do think of anything…"

    "Then please, let me know. Don't get me wrong, Katie." Jackson leant forwards. "Your concern for our people is to your credit, but we never have enough forces for everything we wish. We can hope the Fusiliers make a mistake and hit a world we have enough forces on to counter their threat, but otherwise it's a waiting game. If someone does ask you for a statement, for now I'd focus on non-military responses - relief work for the settlements on Bryceland that were affected. You can hide behind your low rank for now."

    "Thank you, Uncle Jack."

    "Any time, Katie. Now, surely you have something better to do than waste your evening within an old warhorse like me. Some dinner with your fellow officers perhaps?"

    She forced a smile. "Something like that."

    "Go ahead then. Problems like the Fusiliers aren't solved overnight. Much less enemies like the Clans or the Capellans."

    Kate made her exit as gracefully as she could, trying not to feel like a small child being sent to their room while adults took care of serious business.

    As she rode the monorail, she spread the map of the near periphery out in her mind. If the Fusiliers stayed in the Outworlds Alliance, they might risk a more robust response from the Alliance's armed forces. While they were one of the weaker militaries of the organized states, they did have a formidable aerospace fleet that could well cripple the Fusiliers transports, it was a risk the former mercenaries would have to respect.

    Taking it as a given that they left, there were only a few options. Assuming they didn't try to travel through the Inner Sphere or flee deeper into the Periphery, the Fusiliers could either more corewards around the Draconis Combine or rimwards around the Federated Commonwealth. Corewards would mean towards the Clans… Kate shook her head. No, the Fusiliers would most likely head rimwards to one of the pirate hubs of the area.

    One name stood out there. Tortuga, one of a cluster of worlds midway between the Alliance and the much more formidable Taurian Concordat. Thomas Calderon, the Protector of the Concordat was immensely paranoid about a Federated Commonwealth invasion even under the current situation. While normally he was neglectful of pirates in favor of building up border defenses, the possibility existed that he would suspect the Fusiliers of being a FedCom force operating under false colors. But Tortuga was not in easy reach of the Taurians.

    Just off the long periphery border of the Crucis March, a border that was thinly guarded at the best of times. There wasn't even a March Militia in the sprawling Broken Wheel combat region, the original having been crushed in a short-lived rebellion against Kate's grandfather.

    At the junction where she should have turned towards the exit, Kate turned instead to go back to her office. Assuming - and it was an assumption - that she was right about the Fusiliers' destination, then the first of Jackson's objections was dealt with. That left finding the forces to fight the pirates.

    The March Militia system was a Davion tradition, but through Kate's life, many had been formed in the Lyran half of the super-state. That meant that she should be able to look up the process of creating a new one, and see what obstacles there were to address. Filling the gaps in the March Militias would be a challenge, but if it freed up a reserve of forces to deal with problems like this before they became major threat… then Kate wanted to know what that challenge involved.

    And if she might be equal to it.
     
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    • Chapter 9

    Fortress Loudon, Fort Louden
    Tamar March, Federated Commonwealth
    18 February 3055

    Galen stuck his head through the door. "Time for the meeting, Victor."

    Victor hit pause on the video letter from Kathy and then closed down the comm unit. It seemed that they were both facing problems with bandits - her with the attack on Bryceland and now Kooken's Pleasure Pit had been hit by another group. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same.

    Shrugging on his uniform tunic, the prince buttoned it and then followed Galen through the headquarters building to where his visitors were waiting.

    There were two of them, both at the table already. Victor noted to his displeasure that the ComStar Precentor had taken seat at the head of the table, positioning himself as the mediator. Still, at least the man rose respectfully as Victor entered.

    The gray-clad mechwarrior sat on the far side of the conference didn't give him that courtesy. "You didn't have to dress up for me, Victor, no matter how pretty the dress uniform makes you look."

    "If you wanted this to be informal, Phelan, you wouldn't be wearing your formal leathers." Victor nodded to the Precentor and pulled out the chair facing his cousin. "But thank you for not bringing the Halloween mask."

    Phelan grinned unrepentantly. "They are surprisingly comfortable."

    "Perhaps we should get down to business?" Galen suggested. "Khan Ward did come in peace."

    "Indeed." The white-robed Precentor was Klaus Hettig, one of the trusted aides of Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht. The ComGuards were almost entirely focused on maintaining the current truce, which meant far more coordination with the DCMS, AFFC and Kungsarme than had ever been the case before. Officers like Hettig were critical to those arrangements. "The Precentor Martial is gravely concerned about the threat posed by the Red Corsair's raids on Pasig and Kooken's Pleasure Pit."

    Victor nodded noncommittally before looking over at Phelan. "And the ilKhan's position?" His cousin's meteoric rise to junior Khan of Clan Wolf made him close to being Victor's equivalent within the Clan - but Victor didn't make policy decisions yet, and he doubted Ulric Kerensky allowed even the experienced Natasha Kerensky to direct his Clan, much less someone born outside their ways like Phelan.

    The former mercenary nodded. "Ulric did not see the problem until Focht raised the matter, but he is convinced that this is a genuine threat to the Truce of Tukayyid."

    Victor pursed his lips and said nothing.

    "The attack on Morges last year had a full Jade Falcon Cluster trying to push us offworld," Galen observed. "I don't think anyone in this room is happy with the damage done to the Federated Commonwealth's people by the raid, but how seriously can we take them in comparison to the threat the Jade Falcons and the other Clans pose?"

    "It is not the direct damage that we are concerned about, regrettable as it is," Hettig replied. "It is true that the Jade Falcon's testing of your strength - and similar probes launched by your own forces -"

    Galen tapped his chest like a fencer acknowledging a hit.

    "- keep tensions high, but the clashes there are something both sides understand. They are not so different from how the Great Houses pressed each other even under the Star League, not to mention the Succession Wars."

    "Or how the Clans are always testing each other in the homeworlds," Phelan added. "You hit them, they hit you back… tit for tat. But with the Red Corsair, she hits you and you do… what?"

    Victor frowned. "She got lucky on Kooken's Pleasure Pit. If the Grave Walkers had been just a little faster, they could have caught her."

    "Was that luck? Or was it information?" his cousin asked.

    Hettig nodded. "The same could be said of the Red Corsair attack on Pasig, and similarly on the Jade Falcons. She hit with the right timing to avoid opposition that could have cut her campaign short."

    "Once is luck," Phelan told them. "Twice could be a coincidence."

    "But three times is enemy action." Victor narrowed his eyes. "You believe she has sources on both sides of the border?"

    The precentor spread his hands. "That is the best explanation."

    "How do you mean best?"

    Victor turned to Galen. "Or one side is feeding her easy targets to back up the claim she's just a pirate, while using her for deniable operations against the other."

    "Exactly. It does not have to be true," the ComStar representative continued, "It only has to be a persuasive argument."

    Victor sat back and folded his arms in thought.

    "They only took food," Galen observed, "And prisoners. Those aren't high value targets. One reason we haven't made her a priority yet."

    "That very uncertainty as to her goals has already been picked up in some circles," Hettig informed them. "Ryan Steiner's mouthpieces within Free Skye have begun to speculate that she may be an LIC agent, using these raids as cover to pick off potential supporters for their cause in what remains of the Tamar Pact."

    "That's ridiculous!" Victor exclaimed reflexively.

    "I have to say," his cousin warned, "I've heard stranger tales of Loki activities from my father. And he didn't invent them."

    The prince grunted unhappily. On reflection, his cousin was not wrong. "My mother would not order such things. But as you say, it does not need to be true."

    "The optics are even worse among the Clans," the khan continued. "They are a very open people, whether that's why they issue batchalls or if the practice is what started it I can't say. They look down on deception and subterfuge. If the Red Corsair is a bandit that the Federated Commonwealth is allowing to operate, that is bad enough - it is not impossible that they might initiate operations without regard to where they go. You can imagine how that would escalate."

    Galen steepled his fingers. "I hear a worse possibility implied."

    Phelan exhaled slowly. "False flag operations are unthinkable to the Clans, the only historical reference they would have is the Hidden Wars of the Star League, the dishonorable behavior of the Star League Council that preceded the Amaris Coup. If they are convinced, and some of the Crusader Khans might wish to be convinced, that the Red Corsair is actually an agent of your family then an argument could be made for them to resume the invasion."

    "Despite the truce?" asked Victor.

    "Possibly they would restrain themselves to seizing worlds above the truceline." A helpless shrug from the gray-clad man. "Or perhaps not. Elias Crichell would very much like to displace Ulric as ilKhan and if he can find grounds to overturn the truce, it would do a lot to weaken the Warden's position."

    The prince nodded slowly. "Neither of those sounds welcome." He had no illusions that the truce would last forever, but the Federated Commonwealth wasn't ready to resume the war. They needed time to upgrade more of their forces using recovered Star League technology, not to mention the many other preparations that would have to be made. "Are they able to do that?"

    Phelan looked reluctant. "Yes. Some of the Clans have yet to recover fully from Tukayyid. But the Jade Falcons sprang back faster than we expected. Right now, Clan Wolf is the only Clan in the Inner Sphere who can match them and there are too many Crusaders in our own ranks to be sure how the Clan would fall if it came to a fight."

    "Then the solution is simple: we need to destroy the Red Corsair," Galen said bluntly. "I'm not saying that it would be easy, but I'd say this changes our priorities."

    Victor smirked. "The name annoyed me anyway. There was only one Red Corsair, it offends me that there's a pretender to the name."

    Phelan laughed and the two cousins just smiled at the inquisitive looks from the other men. Both knew that Victor's grandmother had been the legendary pirate queen, during a period of desperate exile before she seized the throne of the Lyran Commonwealth from her tyrannical uncle. Phelan's father had been one of her right-hand men, along with Victor's grandfather. But that wasn't something ComStar needed to know about.

    "The main challenge is finding her," Galen said once it was clear that the private joke would not be explained. "But after that there is the truceline. If we take the Revenants after her into Jade Falcon space, we could provoke the conflict we want to avoid. Unless the ilKhan can get us free passage…"

    "The Jade Falcons won't give you anything, you'd have to win transit rights for every system you ran into them, which would whittle you down." Phelan shook his head. "However, the Jade Falcons are a prideful bunch. Normally hunting down a pirate would be a task for their secondline forces, but if they hear that Prince Victor Davion is personally hunting the Red Corsair then suddenly her capture would become worthy of their best warriors."

    "It still leaves her able to slip away from us by crossing into other worlds. Not to mention the Steel Vipers worlds…"

    Phelan nodded. "The Vipers are uncooperative, but I have arranged to challenge them for the prize of immediate reports of any sightings of the Red Corsair. What I suggest you do is the same. The Jade Falcon Loremaster leads their Watch, their equivalent of the Intelligence Secretariat. He is visiting worlds along the border. If you challenge him with a prize of sharing all reports, then we will have everyone on either side of the border sharing reports of the Red Corsair's sightings and no matter where she goes, someone will be out for her head."

    Victor nodded. "I like it. But can we trust the Jade Falcons to be honest in sharing the information."

    "I only wish they would be as stupid as to lie," Phelan said complacently. "Remember what I said about the Clans hating deception? If they got caught trying to hide the Red Corsair, then they'd be politically castrated."

    "That was an unnecessarily lurid way of putting it," Hettig complained.


    Chapter 10

    Castle Davion, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    1 April 3055

    Kate had considered wearing her uniform for the interview… for about six heartbeats. Then she dragged (pulled lightly) Carla Rowan on a trip to some of Avalon City's designer boutiques and walked away with an elegant white dress whose cape and gold trim not-so-subtly resembled her dress uniform.

    The reaction from the studio audience told her she'd made the right choice - they applauded from the moment her name was called and continued as she emerged from behind the curtain and made it the whole way across the stage to the couch facing the host.

    "Ladies and gentlemen," that worthy called out once she'd taken her seat, crossing her legs to show a polite amount of calf. When this failed to silence the applause, Sven van Zandt rose to his feet and clapped his hands together loudly. "Ladies, gentlemen and others," he expanded in a raised voice and the tones of a kindergarten teacher.

    The crowd finally settled down and the host nodded approvingly. "Thank you. And thank you, Princess Katherine, for coming to meet us today."

    "It's my pleasure, Sven," she replied sincerely.

    "It's been almost two years since you graduated from NAIS," he began to probe, "It means a great deal that this is your first tri-vee appearance since then. In your own right, as opposed to attending royal court or appearances with the CMM."

    "You come highly recommended." By Arthur, who had begged and begged for her to bring him along, no matter the official policy that royals were off limits for informal (which this was) public appearances between the ages of ten and eighteen. Hopefully he would be satisfied with the autograph from Mr Van Zandt that had been arranged for him before the show commenced.

    "Does this mean you'll be keeping a higher profile now that you've had a couple of years with the CMM?"

    Kate shook her head. "Perhaps after this year's royal court. Until then I'll be participating in extended field exercises - the First Davion Guards will be taking over all our normal duties so that we can mobilize the full March Militia, something we don't get a lot of chances to do."

    Van Zandt nodded. "Keeping the skills that keep us all safe sharp," he praised the CMM. "And how are you settling in? I know there have been comparisons to your brother…"

    "Yes, well if I have to fend off Jade Falcons from my duty posting at the moment I think we'll all be having a bad year." She smiled again at the audience before sobering. "Whether or not I'm posted offworld to a more active regiment is one of the things that will be discussed with the First Prince when she arrives."

    "Yes, I gather it's her intention to preserve the line of succession with you and Prince Peter while your elder brother remains facing the Clans. Peter has served with the Second Royal Guards on Tharkad since he graduated last year, hasn't he?"

    "Yes, if he'd been with the First he would have had too many chances to ask mother for a more exciting duty station," Kate told him. "'Mother, may I go fight the Clans?' 'Not yet, dear.' 'What about now?' 'Not today…'"

    There was a ripple of laughter from the crowd.

    Kate had suggested Victor be offered a teaching post, either at the Nagelring or NAIS, to get him off the frontlines. If it was presented as a chance to pass on his experience, there was at least a small chance he'd accept the idea. Nothing else had worked and she had a dreadful suspicion that Peter would mug Victor if their brother crossed his path, just to get the chance to prove himself a mechwarrior equal to their father.

    "If I could ask," Sven continued, "There was considerable surprise when Prince Victor elected not to succeed your father three years ago."

    No kidding, she thought. "Traditionally speaking, the First Prince's heir usually serves for five years in the military and a similar time in a government role before they are confirmed as an heir. I admit, the government roles have been somewhat less common over the last few generations due to my uncle and great-grandfather's untimely deaths, but the principle is that before inheriting a First Prince should build up some experience."

    "Some of the Federated Suns' greatest leaders inherited when they were younger than Prince Victor," the host disagreed politely. "Paul Davion II comes to mind."

    "Yes, but I think Victor would consider it arrogant to put himself forward as great. He might be judged so by history, but that will be in retrospect," Kate told them. "He has always been his own worst critic." That lie should have grown her nose by a foot, had she been Pinocchio.

    "It's certainly true that he's proven himself to be an excellent military leader," Sven agreed. "I understand he's on good terms with the younger generation of House Kurita."

    That was not on the list of approved questions and Kate was sure she'd spent a good ten seconds flatfooted by the swerve in the conversation. It was only later that she reviewed the recording and saw that she hadn't visibly flinched.

    "I don't believe either of us has met the younger of Theodore Kurita's sons," she parried instead. "I know that he and Hohiro Kurita found common ground on Outreach, which led to Victor being willing to go to some risks to rescue him from Clan Nova Cat three years ago."

    "Common ground in their experiences against the Clans."

    "No, in mutual detestation of Chancellor Liao - the current Chancellor, I mean. His mother Romano was alive at the time." Kate paused and then added: "I still feel that Sun-Tzu should be given a medal for his contributions to FedCom-Combine relations. Surely the foreign office has some award we could send him."

    The crowd relaxed into laughter.

    "And Omi Kurita?" Sven asked, presumably realizing he had already blacklisted himself and had nothing left to lose in that regard.

    "I have met her," Kate said thoughtfully. "I think we should be glad that House Kurita for some reason rarely allows women to serve as Coordinator. They've only had four Lady Coordinators and all of them were highly capable."

    "Four?" the host asked curiously.

    "Yes, three of them were the same woman." She gestured dismissively. "I think, if Omi Kurita were to inherit from her father then she would be similarly competent. Practically minded, would be a good description. In the current situation, the current truce we have with the Combine serves both realms well, so she is doing everything she can to support that. If that changes some day, then I am sure she would do her duty to her family and her realm, just as my siblings and I would do for our own."

    Then she leant forwards. "The Federated Commonwealth does not have the forces required to fight all the Clans at once. The DCMS has been our oldest and fiercest foe, but in the current situation that also makes them our most valued ally. It no doubt feels as strange for everyone here as it does for me, but if my father was willing to set aside his pride and work with Theodore Kurita then how can any of us do less."

    "Quite so," Sven said weakly. "Moving back to your own life, is there anyone new in your life?"

    "Not so far," Kate answered forthrightly. "Military careers can be hard on family lives, as so many have found out over the years…"


    Chapter 11

    Burton's Redoubt, Deia
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    19 June 3055

    "The good news is that there was no significant damage in the raid," Phelan noted.

    Victor raised an eyebrow. "That is a silver-lining, but can you tell what cloud it is attached to?"

    The Wolf Khan grimaced. "She knew we were here."

    With ComStar prioritizing reports, Victor's staff had accurately predicted that the Red Corsair was heading for Deia, raiding deeper into the Federated Commonwealth than she had before. A short chain of jumpships had allowed Victor and the bulk of the Tenth Lyran Guards' mechs to arrive ahead of the raider and conceal themselves in the fortifications in time before their prey jumped into the system.

    "She knew," Victor agreed grimly. "And whoever told her, I think we can safely say the news arrived after she entered the star system. Otherwise, why not divert to another system entirely."

    Precentor Hettig shook his head. "I have our people going through all the HPG traffic received between her arrival and her departure. If a message was sent here, rather than some advance team being in place to warn the Corsair off, we might be able to identify it and the recipient."

    "I find it hard to believe a pirate would have this sort of network," the prince admitted.

    His cousin shook his head. "I've hunted pirates, Victor. They never operate in a vacuum. They need places to sell what they find and those same buyers are almost always interested in specific acquisitions and willing to direct the pirates towards it."

    "There is another possibility," Hettig observed reluctantly.

    They both looked at him curiously.

    "It is unlikely, but someone could have signaled them directly from elsewhere."

    "From where?" Victor demanded.

    "Another star system." The precentor spread his hands. "ComStar no longer has a complete monopoly on HPG technology."

    Phelan gripped the datapad in front of him. "You think one of the Clans is feeding the Red Corsair data on our deployments?"

    "We would be in HPG range of Parakoila," Hettig pointed out. "We can account for ComStar HPG activity in the timeframe quite easily, but the HPG there is in the hands of the Jade Falcons. I hope that this isn't what is happening, but I cannot rule it out at the moment."

    "We'll check as best we can," Victor decided. "Galen did come up with one other thing, looking at records of the raids so far."

    "What?" Phelan asked. "And where is he? I rarely see you more than an arm's length from your minder."

    Victor glared at him. "He's at the comm center making sure that we have done our part in reporting her movements. What he noticed was that the Red Corsair's mechs are almost all refitted to use only energy weapons. Clan weapons for the most part, which makes sense since those are the most desirable, but it means their munitions footprint is almost nothing."

    The khan's eyes narrowed. "As if they were planning for a long campaign. And that's unusually organized for a pirate."

    "She's not just a raider," Victor agreed. "She has a plan. I don't know what it is, but I doubt we will like it."

    "I don't really care right now. The thing I'm wondering is how we catch up with her and how we avoid her being warned off again."

    "Good questions," Hettig agreed. "I will work on getting any answers we can find on the latter point. For the former, the best answer would seem to be a trap, but unless we can determine her objectives it would be hard to lay the bait."

    "We have no reports of her jumpships arriving any systems within one jump," the prince muttered to himself. "She didn't just go for a nearby target where we might be able to catch up."

    Phelan frowned. "She cannot be too cautious. Pirate leaders require a certain degree of confidence from their crews. Avoiding a trap is one thing, but she will need another strike soon to maintain her momentum."

    "Assuming that she is a normal pirate, yes." Victor shook his head. "But what if she is not? This does not add up."

    "Even if this unit is something else, it still has to give the appearance of normal pirate behavior," the Khan told him. "I think we can expect another strike, and soon."

    "Meaning we should be ready to go on the shortest possible notice," Victor agreed. "I'll get my people prepared to load up. By the time we reach our jumpships they should be fully charged."

    He was about to get his officers moving when the door of the meeting room slammed open. "Victor!" his aide snapped, pale faced.

    "Galen?" Victor rose. "What's wrong? Is she back?!"

    "No." The Tamar native looked like he'd seen a ghost. "You've not been watching the trivee?"

    "Do I look like I have time for that?"

    Galen screwed his eyes shut. "Good. Don't. I have… bad news."

    "Take a deep breath and spit it out," Phelan suggested. "I doubt it will be any easier to say it later."

    The kommandant gave him a grim look. "You… should brace yourself as well, Khan Ward."

    The two cousins exchanged looks. "Galen, whatever it is, you'd better tell us now," Victor ordered.

    He gripped the back of one of the empty chairs. "Your mother was dedicating a memorial library today, the signal was being broadcast simultaneously by ComStar to the whole Federated Commonwealth."

    Victor nodded sharply. "Yes. A 'unity of the realm' gesture." He raised his hand towards Hettig. "ComStar subsidized it. Get to the point."

    "There was a bomb," Galen said simply.

    "Mein gott." Victor half rose from his seat and then fell back into it. "How bad?"

    His friend simply shook his head. "Khan Ward, your parents were there as well. Sat right next to the Archon."

    "No!"

    "Galen…" Victor sounded detached, even to himself. "You saw this?"

    "Everyone saw it."

    Questions cluttered his mind but he couldn't give voice to it. Forcing himself to his feet he took a step towards the door and Galen threw one arm out in front of him. "Get out of my way, Galen."

    "You don't want to see it."

    "I have to."

    "No," the older man shook his head. "Believe me, you don't want to see it."

    "Is there…" Victor turned and saw his cousin still slumped into his seat. "Is there any specifics. Could they have… could the Archon have survived?"

    Galen's blue eyes flicked to the Khan and then back to the Prince. "Victor, there is no way she survived. The bomb was right in front of her. If there's any kindness she can't have felt a thing. The others… no, we have no confirmation yet. I don't like their chances but I can't confirm."

    Phelan seemed to curl in on himself and Victor realized through a blur of tears beginning to form that the uncertainty must be worse than the confirmation Galen had given. The kommandant had gone through explosives training. If he'd seen. If he'd seen mother get…

    Suddenly his gorge rose and Victor doubled over, his half-digested lunch exploding up and out of him at the thought of seeing his mother, his kind, beautiful mother reduced to what little remained after such a bomb. At the thought that his siblings might have been watching. Kathy's last letter had said that Yvonne always watched every news feed from Tharkad, drinking in the sight of their mother as if she feared to forget her during the long absences.

    She was only fifteen! No one should have to watch that!

    "I will try to get more news," Hettig offered. Victor had almost forgotten the man was there.

    "Th-thank you," he managed, still bent over. "Phelan, get your kit together. Galen…" He looked up, wiped the back of his mouth. "Get word out, I need a command circuit back to Tharkad. Promise whatever has to be paid. I'll… Phelan and I will ride a shuttle if we have to. And Precentor?"

    Hettig bowed. "Prince… Archon-Prince Steiner-Davion?"

    The reality of that title stole the strength from Victor's legs and he almost fell into his own vomit. "A bomb means a bomber," he told the Precentor. "Someone who killed my mother. I want them. Tell the Primus that there is very little I will not offer in exchange for ComStar's help in finding them."
     
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    • Act 2 - Bargaining​

    Chapter 12

    Flensburg, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    19 June 3055

    One moment, Kate's mom was speaking elegantly from behind a wooden podium framed by the mycosia pseudoflora blossoms that were her trademark.

    The next instant, there was fire and death. The first flare of the explosion faded just as outcry began in the mess hall. Kate saw the podium was gone. She saw… body parts.

    "Turn it off!" Clara shrieked.

    Someone was gasping "No - no - no -" and it took Kate until the trivee set blanked out to realize it was her.

    Warm hands caught hold of her shoulders and shook her. "Kate, Kate, focus."

    "Let me," another voice said and then cold water splashed against her face, just droplets, but it dragged her back across hundreds of light years to the CMM's base on New Avalon's southern continent. "Leftenant," General Payne snapped. "Are you with us?"

    She wiped her face. "Yes. Sir." Kate shook her head, seeing other faces looking as shocked, almost as griefstricken as she was. Her mom was much loved by her people.

    Payne stepped back. "Heads up, people! I don't know if this is real or if someone tampered with the message! For now, we assume that this did happen. Get your troops up and the base on full security. You know the routine."

    Maybe… maybe he was right. A hope that Kate barely dared trust bloomed. She tried to stand but Payne pushed her down. "Leftenant, you're with me," he ordered. "I need to report in and I'm pretty damn sure the first thing they'll want to know is your whereabouts."

    Yeah, that made sense.

    She followed Russel Payne through the ordered chaos of the CMM scrambling to full readiness. Troops who had clearly been watching the trivee gave her uncertain looks as their sergeants yelled and shoved them to keep moving. Tradition and regulation required them to treat any Davion as just another soldier… but there was also a long history of soldiers going above and beyond to protect and follow her family.

    All eyes went to the Leftenant General as he entered the command centre, a holo table showing the base and its surroundings, including the nearby city. Icons marked the positions of the CMM's subunits, status markers ticking up in readiness and Kate saw live ammo was being issued out. Every tech glanced at her when she went past, then back to their consoles.

    "Any threats?" barked Payne.

    "Nothing, sir. We're ordering civilian flights down as a precaution."

    "Good. Watch the city for disorder. There may be rioting… have the quartermasters get non-lethal payloads ready, detail a mech company and one of our mechanized infantry battalions ready for that."

    "Yessir."

    Payne didn't stop, heading for another desk. "Get me the Castle and the Den. I think they'll be expecting me."

    "Sir." The tech reached for controls and then blinked. "Marshal Sortek is on the line for you, general."

    "Good work."

    "He called us, sir."

    Kate expected to see the Prince's Champion but it was another face that popped up on the console's main screen - Ardan's cousin, Bishop Sortek. She didn't know him as well as the older Sortek but it made sense once she actually thought about it. He commanded the First Davion Guards RCT, posted around Castle Davion and the Fox's Den. Wanting to know the status of the royal family would be his priority.

    "Marshal." Payne saluted, using his other hand to pull Kate into the view of the camera. "Leftenant Steiner-Davion is here. So far we have no signs of an attack on her."

    "Good." Sortek's eyes flicked to Kate. "Your highness, ComStar wasn't fully simultaneous. Whatever happened, and we must take it at face value until we get an official message, it was over an hour ago."

    "My brother and sister?" she asked.

    He glanced aside and for a moment terror gripped Kate until she realized he was just checking with his staff. "We just heard back from their security," the Marshal informed them. "No attacks. We're bringing them in now."

    "Did they…?"

    A pained nod told her the obvious. They had been watching as well.

    "I need to speak to the Castle, sir."

    Sortek nodded sharply at Payne's remark. "Of course. Your highness, we all pray that this is some horrific mistake. But whatever happens, we are at your service."

    Kate managed something resembling thanks and Sortek vanished from the screen.

    "You need a moment, leftenant?"

    It took her moments to register the question was to her, not the tech at the console. "I need… to know, sir. I… I… can't…"

    Payne took her hand, something she could focus on and glanced to another of the staff in the dimly lit room. "Sergeant, file compassionate leave for Leftenant Steiner-Davion. No matter what, I think you'll be using it."

    "Thank you sir," she muttered.

    Victor was nearer to Tharkad, word would have reached him. Peter was on Tharkad… god, had he been there? There had been others in shot before the explosion, they wouldn't have been much further. Kate tried to remember who it had been but all her mind showed her was that last moment of her mother's life.

    It had to be a lie, it had to be.

    "Your excellency," Payne was saying.

    "General," J. Hammond Davion said gravely. "Your highness. I am… very sorry."

    Kate looked up and saw the viceroy on the screen. The Minister of the Crucis March had been doubling as her mother's deputy on New Avalon, though still using his own office and staff. He was behind his desk, face paler than usual. "What do we know?" she whispered hoarsely.

    "We have a follow up message," he said gravely. "Alpha priority, it almost caught up with the original transmission." Then Hammond shook his head and crushed out the faint hope that Kate had been so wary of. "There is no formal declaration of your mother's condition, but the incident is real. I regret to say that, from what what we saw I am expecting notification of her death at any time."

    Kate closed her eyes. Swallowed.

    Then she squared her shoulders and looked up, meeting the duke's eyes. "I will require the command circuit to Tharkad," she ordered, knowing she had no formal authority over him… but she was no longer the spare. She was heir and Victor, whether he wanted it or not, was now the Archon-Prince. "Arthur and Yvonne will go with me. Mother's…" A deep breath. "Her funeral will be closed casket. I can't imagine her body will be intact enough to lie in state, as father did. We need to be there."

    "Of course, Katie. I'll take care of everything," Hammond promised her. "There are contingencies - a shuttle can bring you here by suborbital route and a dropship will be ready to leave by tomorrow morning."

    "Thank you," she managed.

    He shrugged helplessly. "I cannot accompany you, but my heart will be with you and your siblings in this dreadful time. If you need anything… we are family. Please do not hesitate."

    Then the duke was gone.

    "I should get my kit together," Kate said slowly.

    "Someone can take care of that," Payne told her.

    "No… I… I need to be alone for a little while."


    Chapter 13

    The Triad, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    30 June 3055

    There had been too much public grief to follow through with the original idea of a quick burial of Melissa Steiner-Davion. The compromise had been to use an incredibly valuable stasis tube as a temporary casket, preventing any decay of her remains. The flag of the Federated Commonwealth completely covered the medical apparatus and completely obscured the horrid sight of what remained of the beautiful and vivacious Archon.

    Victor had forced himself to look at his mother's remains once and regretted it ever since. Kathy had refused to and he had endorsed keeping their younger siblings from repeating his error in judgment.

    As he watched from one of the mezzanine levels of the cathedral, a long long line of Lyrans shuffled slowly through the nave and past the casket. Some genuflected to his mother; others handed small tokens to priests who placed them on display tables on either side. In the future, they would be packed away and those that were not perishable used in a memorial to Melissa Steiner-Davion.

    The door to the stairs opened and Victor turned angrily to see who was intruding. He had come here to be alone, told Galen not to let anyone through.

    His fury faded as he saw Kathy's face, pale between the black fur of her long, heavy coat and cap. "I thought you were with Yvonne."

    Victor's sister moved up to stand next to him, looking down at the mourners. "I'm not who she needs right now. She's in the library with Misha Auburn, talking history. It seems to distract her which… is probably for the best."

    "Yeah." He rubbed his face. "Did you hear about Bolan?"

    "God, is there trouble with the Free Worlds League?" Bolan was an important world, one that had one been part of a salient of League systems deep inside Lyran Commonwealth. It had fallen to House Steiner during the Succession Wars and reclaiming it had long been a dream of House Marik.

    The assumption made sense, but for once it was not the worst. "Nothing so dire," Victor told her. "Mother was a major patron to the Martial Academy of Bolan, and they have asked to rename the school in her honor. Arthur wants to transfer there and finish his military education in the Commonwealth."

    "Do they even have a mechwarrior program for him to join?"

    "They keep getting delayed," Victor admitted. "I've ordered the AFFC to do whatever is needed to get it back on track before the next year begins. It will be more like a training battalion than a full class… but my authority as Archon-Prince should be good for something."

    It still felt strange to refer to himself as such. That title had always been some distant future, some day when their parents had somehow conveyed their wisdom and leadership to the point he was ready. But now it was thrust upon him and he had never been so conscious of the burden they had left him.

    "It might not be the best decision for him," she warned, holding her coat tight around herself.

    "Perhaps. But it is his decision. He's not a child any more."

    "None of us are." Kat shook her head, took off her cap and brushed her hair back into order with the fingers of her other hand. She'd grown it out further since he last saw her, past her shoulders. "We should talk about how to handle your coronation on New Avalon."

    "Now?" he asked, incredulously. He turned to face her. "Is this really the time?"

    "You're the Archon-Prince," Kathy replied, weighting the second half of the title more heavily. "You need to respect both halves of the realm."

    Victor grimaced. "Let's move this somewhere more private."

    His sister looked down at him for a moment and then nodded curtly.

    The two walked together to the stairwell, Kathy shortening her pace to match his own. The door closed behind them and Galen looked up from where he was waiting. "I didn't think your order applied to family."

    "It didn't," Victor assured his friend. "But it's a little too public out there to talk frankly."

    "Frankly?" Galen asked. He looked between them. "Do you mean argue?"

    The Archon-Prince felt the corners of his lips curl up. "I hope not."

    Kathy put her hat back on, then straightened it with both hands. "I know your coronation has to take place here first, but after that you're expected on New Avalon as well."

    "I understand," Victor assured her. "And I will come to New Avalon, when the time is right. There is too much going on here to do so right away though. There is a reason Mother spent more time on Tharkad than she did in New Avalon. It certainly wasn't the weather."

    His sister shoved her hands deep into her coat pockets. "Alright. For royal court then? In three months?"

    "Probably not." The investigation into their mother's death had barely begun; he had to keep an eye on that. And another on the Clans. The Red Corsair had hit another world - he had handed over the pursuit to the Kell Hounds, but the bandit had slipped away again. He and Galen both agreed that had to mean a leak, and Phelan was being stubborn about the idea that it could be from the other side of the border.

    "Mom never missed that."

    "I know it's not ideal," he said. "Next year, I hope."

    "There is a command circuit, you would be on New Avalon in days," Kathy reminded him.

    "Yes." Victor leant forwards slightly. "But you know what a circus the High Council is. I'd be hundreds of light years further from where my focus has to be and adding my coronation would make it worse. I'd be doing well to have things in order by Christmas."

    "The longer you leave it, the harder it will be," she snapped. "Putting this off isn't -" She broke off and shook her head.

    "Isn't?" he asked sharply.

    Kathy took a deep breath. "Sorry."

    "No," Victor insisted. "Tell me what you were going to say."

    She looked away. "It's not what Mom or Dad would have done."

    That hurt and he knew his face showed it.

    "I'm sorry," she repeated. "That was cruel."

    Kathy was hurting too, Victor reminded himself. Hammond Davion had passed on a warning that she had been watching the transmission when the bomb went off. She had had to watch it. "I miss them too," he told her. "Forgive me if I am also… raw."

    Galen was on the step below them and reached out to take them both by the shoulder. "Family always has more power to hurt each other," he reminded them. "If you don't mind, Katherine, why do you feel it's so urgent for Victor to be crowned twice?"

    "The Federated Commonwealth is an alliance still," his sister told them. "It's not a nation, not yet. Everyone thought there would be more time to take the steps for that. Losing that time has left everyone unsettled. Think back to the early history of the Lyran Commonwealth, the uncertainties from the time of Nine Archons. It was more than thirty years before Robert Marsden finally forced solutions for the issues and restructured the Commonwealth. I don't want you to have to be another Crusher."

    That got a scowl from Victor. "He did what needed to be done."

    "Yes, but would he have had to go that far if there had been a clear single leader, known and accepted by everyone, from the beginning?" Kathy reached out to Victor. "You'd hate being a man like that, and I'd hate what it would do to you."

    Victor sighed and took her hand. "I never, for a moment, considered that this was coming from any sort of disloyalty," he assured her. "I need to be seen to be dealing with the challenges we face and right now, with the Clans on the border, with mother's death… with Ryan Steiner and his scheming. I need to get things in order here. As soon as there is enough confidence here in our mother's realm, I will go to New Avalon. I promise you."

    Kathy leant on him for a moment and then pulled back. "Thank you."

    "In the meantime, I am going to have to put more weight on your shoulders," he said apologetically. "I know you haven't finished your time with the Crucis March Militia, but the plan was always that you and Peter would act as my deputies for whichever capital I wasn't on. I don't think Peter's ready yet."

    "And he'll want to prove himself against the Clans."

    "That's a fight for another day," he sighed. "I wasn't supposed to end up in a war zone on my first deployment. No one expected the Clans." A shake of his head. "Never mind. But you're right, we need people to be thinking more of House Steiner-Davion, not Steiner or Davion alone. Hammond Davion has done a good job but I need you to take over as the face of my government on New Avalon. He'll stay on as Minister of the Crucis March and one of the key advisors but I want you to serve as viceroy."

    Kathy sighed heavily. "I suppose I can hardly claim to be unprepared with everything you're dealing with."

    Victor nodded. It would also keep his gentle sister safe on New Avalon. If she felt her duty required it, she would seek out a post facing the Clans and it would be harder to argue that than it would be with Peter, given her age and experience. But he had also seen her scores at NAIS and Victor knew she was not someone he wanted to send up against the Jade Falcons or the Steel Vipers. Not everyone was made to be a mechwarrior - she had forced herself to qualify, to make Father proud. The least he could do was to let her finish her five years somewhere safe and sound.


    Chapter 14

    Avalon City Spaceport, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    10 July 3055

    The warmth of summer on New Avalon was a far cry from any season on the cold world of Tharkad. The baking heat hit Kate and Yvonne as they exited the dropship, along with a wall of sound from the crowd gathered to meet them.

    It had been agreed that the sisters would return via Avalon City and not use Castle Davion's own private drop port, to accommodate the public. While the crowds could not approach the landing pads directly, given the immense heat of the fusion torch that propelled the dropships, they lined the fences that marked the safe limit, many holding up patriotic banners.

    Under the excited cries, Kate thought that she heard other cries - of disappointment. Even from this distance it must be plain to the crowd that she was too tall and Yvonne too red-headed to be the Archon-Prince. It had been no secret that Victor would not be with his sisters, but hope had apparently been stronger than the news reports. She saw some of the signs, those with messages aimed at the new Archon-Prince, sag in disappointment. A few vanished from sight, their owners perhaps embarrassed to show off that they hadn't believed the news.

    Kate raised her hand in salutation of the people of New Avalon and they roared appreciation again. It was intoxicating and she recalled her mother warning her that it was easy for demagogues to become so entangled with pleasing their followers that they lost all of their own agency.

    "Remember, you are mortal."

    She turned and saw that it was Yvonne who had whispered that as she too waved at the crowds. "Mom told you that as well?"

    "I think she said it to all of us." The youngest of her siblings lowered her gaze at the reminder.

    Kate reached over and interlinked their arms before they went down the steps to where the limousine was waiting for them to board. Security was tight - every roof that had a view of them right now had counter-snipers from the police or the AFFC staking them out - and suggestions that the sisters approach the fence to greet the crowd directly had been shouted down, so those who had come to see them would have to view them though the windows of the limousine as it made a slow pass in front of them.

    The sisters walked carefully down the steps from the dropship, still arm-in-arm, and then waved again to the crowd before slipping into the back of the limousine. Kate took the seat that would be nearest to the crowd, leaving Yvonne free to lean forwards in the seat to be fully visible to those who had come to see them… or to shelter behind her sister. As Kate had once been sheltered by their mother.

    To her credit, Yvonne made a point of being visible for much of the slow drive along the front of the crowd. Kate could tell by the sounds of her shifting that she was tempted to sit back at times, but refrained. She could not look at the younger girl, of course, keeping a sad but dignified smile aimed at those who had waited for hours to welcome them home.

    Once the limousine reached the terminal, it turned through a guarded entrance and was waved directly past to join a convoy waiting to escort them up the mountain to Castle Davion.

    The side windows were rendered opaque by a second layer of armor glass rising to cover them, giving the two privacy again.

    "I don't know how Mom managed it," Kate admitted. "Being on display so much."

    "I always thought you enjoyed it?" her sister asked in surprise. "You never seemed to shrink from it before."

    She shook her head. "It can be a bit much. I enjoyed going out like this when I was little, being the center of attention when Mom and Dad were usually so busy. Grandma's funeral was the worst though. It wasn't fun and games. The only good thing was that Victor was with us all the time after that, rather than only seeing him on Tharkad."

    "I don't remember it."

    "Well, you were very very young." She settled back into her seat. "I was just about old enough that I was allowed to carry you occasionally. I'd been too little to trust with a baby when it came to the boys."

    Yvonne nodded. "Did you ever drop me? Peter said something…"

    "I sometimes think he was the one who got dropped on his head. No, I never did drop you. I did sit down and refuse to carry you any further once," Kate reminisced. "But you'd spat up milk all over my new dress. Dad carried us both the rest of that event and gave me a telling off for making Mom's day harder than it had to be."

    They passed the rest of the trip exchanging stories. Yvonne had several of her own stories, featuring events that Kate had missed while she was at NAIS. It was hard to believe that it would only be a year or so now before her youngest sibling would embark on her own higher education.

    "You have a couple of days before you have to go back to school," Kate recalled. "Are you going to stay at the Castle or go back early? Or something else, if you want."

    Her sister blinked. "Do you want me to go back now?"

    "You're old enough to decide for yourself," she decided.

    "Thank you." Yvonne considered it for a moment. "I won't see much of you either way, will I?"

    "Probably not. I foresee a very busy schedule. My secretaries are probably dueling over who gets access first, not to mention I'll have to rejoin my regiment…" Balancing that against being viceroy would be… interesting. At least some of her duty time would be classed as being detached to serve as part of her own Close Personal Security Detail, but too much of that would turn her credentials as a soldier into a joke. And Kate couldn't afford that.

    "I'll go back to school tomorrow," her sister decided. "I'd like a night in my own bed first, but the sooner I'm back the sooner I can get over the inevitable questions."

    "As you wish."

    Yvonne hugged Kate properly before they parted ways just inside the Castle entrance. Then the redhead departed for the family apartments while Kate had to follow another path, up past the Great Hall and into the offices used by ministers when they were in the Castle rather than the buildings that housed the actual senior bureaucracy.

    Her little procession went past them and then took a dog leg through a room of secretaries who had worked for Kate's father. Finally she reached the double doors that marked her destination. Guards whose formal livery covered practical body armor and weapons opened them before she arrived and Kate entered her father's office for the first time since he'd died.

    There were no real changes. The same curtains, furnishings and even decorations. Her mother had used it when she was here but hadn't altered it to her own tastes. Most likely she had never had the time.

    The Duke of Argyle was waiting, wearing his military uniform and the formal chain of office as viceroy. Hammond bowed deeply as she entered. "Your highness."

    "Your grace," she said and smiled ruefully. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting."

    "Being honest, I was working in my office until I got word you had actually arrived at the Castle," he said with a smile. "It never stops."

    "Thank you for the warning." Not that she was surprised, having grown up around her parents… when they weren't busy with that same never-ending tide of work.

    "In any case," Hammond said, lifting the chain over his head. "There's no real precedent for this and you said you preferred not to have a formal ceremony." He extended the viceroy's chain in both hands.

    Kate looked at it for a moment, twenty-five large golden links. They were evenly divided into five types, showing off the fox of House Davion, the sword-and-sunburst of the Federated Sun, the fist of House Steiner, the little used but technically official lyre of the Lyran Commonwealth and finally the five subtly large links with showed the fist-and-sunburst of her brother's conjoined realms.

    Finally she reached out and accepted the chain. It was just as heavy as she had imagined. Raising it, she hung it around her neck, adjusting it so that it hung evenly. It felt awkward and out of place.

    "It fits you well," the duke assured her.

    Well, as long as no one else finds it out of place, Kate decided and went to the desk. The chair was at the right height for her mother and she reached automatically for the controls and raised it to what she was comfortable with. Then she glanced around her father's… her parents' office. No, it was Victor's office, but until he arrived she would have to use it.

    Opening her handbag she took out the list of things to do she'd made on her way from Tharkad and made a note to work in talking to the palace decorators. She was not going to work surrounded by reminders of her parents - it was hard enough already.

    "So I believe we are meeting the rest of the privy council first," Kate told Hammond once she had made the note.

    "Indeed, your highness," Hammond confirmed and once she was out from behind the desk he fell in deferentially behind her.
     
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    • Chapter 15

    The Triad, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    31 July 3055

    The Archon's office hadn't changed substantially since his grandmother's day, with the long drapes and furnishings that almost but did not quite match the craftsmanship of the huge wooden desk that Victor's maternal grandfather had made for his wife. While the Archon-Prince had never met his grandfather (in fact, nor had his mother, since Arthur Luvon had passed away while Katrina Steiner was carrying their only child), one of his fondest memories of his grandmother was of being allowed to sit on her lap and listen to her stories after she had finished work for the evenings.

    This was where she had issued her Peace Proposal, where she had governed through the Fourth Succession War and there were still marks on the wall (if you knew where to look) that were the result of a barely foiled assassination attempt by Free Skye shortly before Victor was born.

    And now it was where he was receiving reports from the frontlines. "They got her?" he demanded as Galen Cox handed over a data chip.

    "They did," Galen agreed. "It seems that Arc-Royal was too tempting a target once we leaked out that the Kell Hounds would have both regiments away hunting for her."

    Victor punched the air triumphantly and thrust the data chip into the console resting on his desk. Files sprang on the screen - full after action reports, along with analysis. More than he could take time to read now, but he would find the time soon. "Do we have any idea who was behind her?"

    Galen perched on the side of the desk. "Not yet. We had to lie to everyone about the Kell Hounds to pull this off, so we're no nearer to finding out the source of the leak that was feeding her data. But it's clear that there was someone, and there was something interesting in the interview of one of her prisoners. Nelson Geist - an ex-AFFC Kommandant she was treating more like a bondsman than anything else."

    Victor's eyebrows went up. "Really?"

    "To the point of having him in the cockpit of her Battlemaster for some of the raids," the Kommandant confirmed. "Twisted." He shook his head. "Anyway, he believes that at least some of her equipment was given to her by one of the Clans, not the result of raiding."

    "We suspected that." The Archon-Prince leant back in his chair and contemplated the idea for a moment. "And Phelan's opinion?" His cousin had lost his mother to the same blast that had slain Melissa Steiner-Davion, and his father had lost his right arm in the same moment.

    Clan medical technology might be able to make good the loss, and Victor suspected that besides attending Salome Ward's funeral, Phelan might plan to convince his father to see if Clan Wolf could offer better reconstruction than the Commonwealth could. As their Khan it would be within his power to order that, but the politics would be complicated.

    At the end of the day, it was something Victor would be happy to live with.

    Galen folded his arms. "He wondered if this might be action by the Diamond Sharks or even the Clans' own criminal element. Of course, it's news to me that they even have one."

    "The more I learn about the Clans, the more they seem like us but at right angles," Victor observed. "Clan Diamond Shark though… I didn't think they had any presence in the Inner Sphere after Tukayyid. They don't occupy any worlds I'm aware of?" he added questioningly.

    "They had a world in the near Periphery according to Phelan but the Ghost Bears took it from them after Tukayyid. There were suspicions they had traded supplies to insurgents. He admits that may just be mud-slinging, it was before he had joined the Wolves fully."

    "It certainly muddies the water." A chime from the clock told Victor that time for discussing this was over. His next appointment would be arriving soon. "I have to get ready, but I did have an offer for you, Galen."

    Galen rose to his feet. "If this is your sister's hand in marriage," he joked, "I will have to recuse myself."

    "Yvonne is too young for you anyway," Victor deadpanned. "No, but I do have to choose someone to take over from me with the Tenth Lyran Guards. I'm already head of the Royal Guards on paper. I can't justify keeping the Tenth with me as well. How do you feel about having your own regiment?"

    "Now that's a sudden offer," the kommandant said in surprise. "I'm not even the senior battalion commander."

    "No, but you're the one who I have the most confidence in."

    "In honesty, I have probably also been neglecting the role to serve as your aide," Galen told him seriously. "I figured I'd have to choose whether to stay with you or with the regiment sooner or later."

    "It's a tough choice," Victor admitted sympathetically.

    "Not really. Keeping you from doing anything stupid is clearly my duty. I followed you into the Tenth Guards, remember. I never really expected a posting with such a prestigious unit to begin with." The older man drew himself up. "Respectfully, your highness, I would prefer to remain as your aide over taking command of the Tenth."

    Trying to hide the warm feeling he felt at those words, Victor toyed with a stylus. "I suppose that I will need to find another battalion commander too, before I hand them off."

    "I thought Sabine was coming along well," his friend offered. "She's about ready for a battalion."

    "Yes, but she has one. Didn't you hear?" He'd thought that Galen and his cousin were getting on quite well.

    Galen spread his hands. "I've been a bit too busy to socialize lately."

    "Ah. Well, she got offered a transfer over to the Twenty-Fourth Lyran Guards to command one of their battalions," Victor explained. "We're getting another distant cousin of mine to replace her in Baker Company - Caesar Steiner's son Reinhart. He was in the same class as Peter."

    That got a grimace. "And he has a company already? I can't see that being welcome news with your brother."

    Victor said nothing. Peter had been quite unhappy to find his petitions to be sent somewhere more active than Tharkad met with a transfer to the March Militia on Skye. It was a politically sensitive area, and if Ryan Steiner ever made a move then Peter would find himself on the frontlines of an insurrection. Of course, from that perspective, it also warned Free Skye that if they went beyond mere talk, Victor would have every reason to hammer them unmercifully.

    "Do you want me to draw up a list of candidates?" asked Galen.

    "That would be helpful," he agreed. "I won't ask you to sit in on the next meeting. I'm sure you've met Sabine's grandmother already."

    "Field Marshal Steiner is a legend in the service," the kommandant said stiffly, before adding: "And I'm as scared of her as everyone else is."

    "Well if you and Sabine keeping hitting it off, you might be her in-law one day."

    "Stop trying to meddle in my love life, Victor. I can't tell if you're trying to help or hinder."

    Victor chuckled and waved him out before contacting his current secretary. "If Field Marshal Steiner hasn't arrived yet, send her right in when she gets here."

    "I've been waiting," his great-aunt said gruffly, pushing in through the door before Galen could exit. She gave the man a nod when he held the door. "Kommandant Cox."

    "Field Marshal." He let her pass and closed the door behind himself.

    Nondi Steiner took a seat facing Victor without asking. "Good man there."

    "Yes," he agreed. "I offered him the Tenth, but he turned it down to stay my aide."

    That got an approving nod. "Sabine speaks well of him. You would have won either way, but you should get him a promotion. You know the social-generals will look down on him for being a mere field officer."

    "It's in the works." The bureaucracy of the AFFC could sometimes run slowly, even for the man who was its supreme commander. Victor closed down the console and dropped the datachip on the Red Corsair's final battle into a desk drawer. "I'm more than happy to see you, but you didn't say why you wanted a meeting."

    His great-aunt opened the valise case she was carrying and produced an envelope, placing it on the desk. "I offered this to your mother… and before that, to my sister."

    Victor gave her a startled look and then lifted the envelope, which wasn't sealed. The contents were not unexpected, but not something he'd hoped to see. "Resignation."

    "The Clans are my fourth war," she reminded him. "Realistically, the only way for me to move up would be to replace Morgan Hasek-Davion as Marshal of Armies, and he's younger than I am." Then she looked down at the desk surface. "And I'm tired, Victor."

    "You've never done less than your duty," he acknowledged and slid the letter of resignation back into its envelope. "If that's your intention, all I can ask is that you wait until I have my feet under me and find a suitable officer to step in."

    "Of course," she told him matter-of-factly. "I hadn't meant I would leave today."

    Victor rose from behind the desk and offered her his hand. The old general took it and pulled him into a rough hug. "You're so damn young to be behind that desk," she said. "Melissa and Katrina had at least time to grow up."

    "I'm twenty-five," he reminded her, not refusing the embrace.

    "Practically an infant," Nondi said with a sniff.


    Chapter 16

    Castle Davion, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    10 September 3055

    Jackson Davion had come to her office this time. Kate could have used the mono-rail to go down to the Fox's Den, her new post as viceroy did come with some perks. But she'd have had to return for her next meeting so this time she had elected to impose upon him.

    The Field Marshal looked around as he entered. "A change from when I was last here."

    The curtains framing the two large windows were now Davion bottle-green, with the fist-and-sunburst embroidered into them in gold. Kate had moved her father's decorations such as the glass sculpture of his first love Dana Stephenson into storage and replaced them with a cabinet of models. A scale model of her Guillotine she'd made as part of her NAIS coursework stood in pride of place, flanked by Galax's concept model for the new corvettes and a lovingly painted Atlas kit that someone had once gifted to her uncle Ian.

    "It's a working office, not a museum," Kate told him. "Tea? Coffee?"

    "Coffee, please. Your staff should know how I take it?"

    Sure enough, it was moments before one of Kate's assistants entered with two coffee cups on a silver tray, setting them down before them both. Kate's had some cream while Jackson's was black as pitch.

    "You wanted to talk about the March Militias?" he asked, after tasting the coffee and smiling appreciatively.

    Kate nodded. "I sent a proposal to your office for review."

    "The volunteer repair program?" he asked. "Yes, I saw it. I believe it was forwarded for further investigation. It does seem promising, but I'd want to see the numbers on how many volunteers we can find before going further."

    "That's reasonable," she agreed. "So I sent out queries to gauge interest. Assuming that half of those that responded actually follow through, I think we'd be looking at between two or three companies of additional battlemechs coming available in every defense zone and combat region within your purview, if we can get the repairs done."

    Jackson paused and set his cup down. "That is very promising."

    Her proposal had gone back to the roots of the March Militia, with the selection of the best of the planetary militias in each combat region to form up the brigades that had become the backbone of the AFFS' defensive strategies. Kate had proposed contacting old mechwarrior families whose 'mechs were no longer fit for service and offering them full refits that they couldn't otherwise afford. In exchange, each family was required to place a 'mech and mechwarrior at the service of their local March Militia for no less than ten years.

    "Can we carry out the repairs?" he asked. "I have some concerns about finding enough technical staff?"

    "The Bell Repair yards have availability to make a start," she told him. "I've also felt out NAIS, Point Barrow and the Tikonov academies about assigning cadets to carry out some of the work. It won't cover all the needs, but coupled with the Militias themselves, we can make a start."

    "That will free up more soldiers for other postings," Jackson observed. "I know Victor will be pleased if we have more replacements to keep the regiments facing the Clans at strength." Then he narrowed his eyes. "I imagine you have some ideas as well?"

    "I said every defense zone and combat region," Kate repeated. "That includes Kathil, Point Barrow and Broken Wheel. None of which currently have March Militias."

    "Ah…" the graying officer said in understanding. "I take it that you wish to change that."

    The princess offered him a datachip she'd prepared earlier. "Infantry and armor regiments in those regions' planetary guards that may be suitable for nationalization to re-establish the march militias."

    "It would take more than a few companies per combat region to build up battlemech regiments though," warned Jackson. "Ten years isn't a huge amount of time for that."

    "Duke Sandoval has agreed to set aside a number of Watchman and Clint battlemechs from Robinson Standard BattleWorks as a contribution, although he will still want most of them for the Draconis March. My intention is to start them off with training forces built along the lines of the training battalions we already operate," Kate explained. "Transfers from the other March Militias would provide some cadre for two battalions each - one of trainees and one of family-owned mechs. The remainder of their strength would be made up of mercenaries hired on long term commitments."

    Jackson nodded in agreement. "It's innovative, but most of that could work. We can filter in officers who are nearing retirement age as well, particularly those who have served against the Clans and who can pass on that experience. I'm concerned about the mercenaries though, you're talking about low activity postings for a decade, at least. Most battalion units would be concerned about making ends meet over that time."

    "My thinking is that it would appeal to units not willing to take contracts that put them up against the Clans." Kate ran one hand through her hair. "A number of units have been taking Capellan and League contracts because they feel those are less likely to see them thrown up against foes they aren't confident of taking on. If we can offer at least some contracts that don't include those risks, we're a little less like to see Sun-Tzu Liao and Thomas Marik bolstering their forces at our expense."

    Two gray eyebrows rose. "A very cogent point, your highness. You understand that I would want my staff to review these ideas before we take them any further."

    Kate sat back, relieved not to be dismissed. Even as viceroy, her authority over the military was tenuous. It would be easy for an appeal to Morgan Hasek-Davion or even her brother to be made if Jackson really didn't wish to follow her direction. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

    "I told you some time ago that I'd be delighted to free up forces to respond more easily to problems before they develop into crises." Jackson pocketed the datachip. "This offers some chance of doing just that. I will make sure they know that I would prefer any criticisms be constructive, with a view to making this work. Do you have any other proposals you'd like us to consider?"

    "Just one, although I know it would be a harder sell."

    "Oh?" he sipped on his coffee. "You have more credibility than you may expect."

    "There are a number of battlemech designs we don't manufacture in the Suns half of the Federated Commonwealth," she told him. "Just in the New Avalon CMM, we've three Panthers and a Hermes II for example." The former were a standby of the DCMS and the latter was the backbone of medium scout lances in the Free Worlds League.

    "That sort of thing is fairly typical."

    "They also impose a disproportionate strain on logistics," Kate advised. "Where they are owned by the AFFC, I want to systematically concentrate them into individual units. If we have them all in one place, then only one regiment will be in need of the parts."

    Jackson rubbed his chin. "You're right that that won't be popular. Mechwarriors do get attached. Perhaps we could soften the blow by suggesting that the units receiving them will be forming dedicated forces to simulate foreign force compositions for training purposes. If the New Avalon CMM had a battalion full of Capellan designs it might look odd on ceremonial occasions, but a company or so that was available for training against the cadets at Albion and NAIS would be arguable."

    "As well as other academies," Kate said in excitement. "Filtvet and Kilbourne don't have readily available opposition forces other than their instructors."

    "It's not worth doing for that reason," the Marshal pointed out. "But the Department of Military Education supporting the measure could be enough to sway the issue. I suggest you talk to Toni Reynolds about it. You need to sell people on the idea, try and find some reason that will convince every member of the high command you can get hold of. Reynolds in Mil Ed, your aunt Lisa in the Quartermasters and Gris Miller in Mercenary Relations are the most involved. If they all see benefits then that will give you the most impact, but every other senior Field Marshal won over will tip the balance. If enough of them back it, then you could get it pushed through past anything short of your brother's clearly stated objection. Not that I think he'd oppose the idea."

    She nodded wearily, "I hoped that talking to you would be enough to get the ball rolling - for consideration, not to actually start the work."

    He smiled at the naivety. "Start rolling, yes. But not to get it to where you need to. I'm sorry, Katie, the AFFC is as political as any other bureaucracy."

    They finished their coffee while Kate asked about Jackson's family and made notes on his advice. She'd have to schedule appointments to meet with other members of the high command. Possibly she could take some time to drop in on those based out of New Avalon, but Lisa Steiner was on Tharkad so that would require correspondence.

    Jackson made his exit and the blonde had a couple of moments to freshen up before her next guest arrived.

    "Your grace," she greeted the well-dressed man who was ushered in.

    "Your highness." He bowed and kissed the back of her hand when she extended it.

    The Duke of El Dorado was the head of one of the most influential branches of the sprawling Davion dynasty; the Sanromea-Davions had ruled one of the Golden Five worlds at the heart of the Crucis March since the early Star League. While the economy had suffered over the decades, their influence over the financial sector and the High Council was considerable.

    Kate gestured to the seats and the coffee table. "Would you mind joining me for a working lunch? My schedule is a little chaotic."

    "That isn't for the best," Duke Roger said seriously. "Eating on a regular schedule is important for one's health."

    "I hope to have the chance at that someday."

    Several platters of food were carried in for them and both filled their plates before sitting back. "I was hoping to discuss some economic matters," Kate began. "It would be dangerous for me to only receive advice from within the government bureaucracy, I feel I should follow my parents' example and be open to ideas outside of the Ministries."

    "There is a lot to be said for diversifying your sources of information," he agreed. "I imagine you have some projects in mind that I might be able to help with."

    Kate swallowed the slices of cucumber she'd eaten as he spoke. "I'm aware of your work with finance groups looking for investments," she said and wiped the corner of her lips with a napkin. "Marquessa Helen Trempeleau has been talking to me about enterprises in the Outback that are looking for financial support to take advantage of new military contracts."

    The duke frowned. "I confess that military affairs are somewhat outside my area of expertise. El Dorado has avoided having military production and it's been successful as a means of avoiding direct attack during the Succession Wars."

    "Quite so, but there's a difference between building those factories on El Dorado and helping companies on, for example, June to develop the facilities to build components for Lycomb-Davion Introtech's prospective new complex there."

    Her distant cousin looked thoughtful. "The risks of such investments do center around the lamentable chances of such facilities being targeted for raiding," he concluded. "Just how secure would June be?"

    He hadn't rejected the idea outright, Kate thought. Even if he didn't go for it right now, any objections he raised and how he reacted to her counter-arguments might help her convince other sources of funds to help build up the infrastructure needed to replace the factories lost to the Clans…


    Chapter 17

    Mount Asgard, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    25 October 3055

    Taking a day at Mount Asgard had been supposed to be about addressing the troop strengths observed on Steel Viper worlds, Victor thought as the conference derailed into another debate about what to do with a surge in their own 'mech numbers that hadn't even happened.

    He was happy in the abstract that the paper Jackson Davion had forwarded would potentially free up the equivalent of another regiment from the Suns, but then Nondi had pointed out that the same plan could be applied to March Militias in Lyran Command and that raised the possibility of not even keeping the forces on the frontline up to strength but re-raising another command.

    "The Tamar Tigers would have a great deal of support from the members of the Estates-General who have lost their homeworlds to the Clans," Claudius Taylor-Kelswa argued.

    Victor drummed his fingers on the table impatiently. Claudius was a blowhard, but his father was Duke of Fort Loudon, which was right on the border. And his ties to Morasha Kelswa, wife of Victor's cousin Ryan, made him politically suspect. Was there anywhere he could be sent that he might cause less of a headache?

    Richard Steiner cleared his throat. "That's true, but many of the Tamar-based families likely to provide 'mechs have withdrawn to Skye," he pointed out. "They will be joining Skye March Militias so there may be more logic in using the 'mechs freed up to create a new regiment of Skye Rangers. Something to counter Free Skye's influence."

    "Or drops a fresh regiment into his sticky fingers," Nondi Steiner pointed out and the Marshal of the Skye March deflated under his mother's withering gaze.

    The Archon-Prince was saved from another round of pitches by the sight of Galen Cox entering the room. That had to mean news important enough that he could excuse himself. "It seems I must leave this matter to you," he declared to the officers around the table, pushing his chair back. "I would prefer that if a new regiment is formed that it resurrect the honors of one of the units lost fighting the Clans."

    Some of the generals nodded, though it was hard to tell which were sincere and which were sycophants.

    "The Twelfth Donegal Guards did very well under the circumstances," Richard declared, flipping his position now that Victor had spoken.

    "If you feel it the best choice," Victor replied dismissively and stepped away. He and Galen were among the very few members of the Twelfth Donegal Guard RCT to escape the first wave of Clan Jade Falcon's offensive. After their dropship got away, the Guards had fought on for months, pinning down garrison forces. It hadn't stopped the onslaught but it had certainly helped.

    The Archon-Prince would have agreed with Richard for that reason, if it wasn't for the obvious currying of favor. Instead, as he went past Nondi Steiner he paused and in a low voice suggested: "Form a committee to debate that so the rest of you can get back to the original purpose of this meeting?"

    Nondi snorted and nodded. As Victor exited, he heard her barking names that included her son and Taylor-Kelswa - perhaps something would get done without them.

    "Good news?" he asked Galen once the door closed behind them.

    "Good and bad," the newly minted Leftenant General told him. "Which would you like first?"

    "Hit me with whichever we can deal with quickest," Victor decided. It wasn't far to the private office he used here. Mount Asgard was functionally headquarters of the entire AFFC (technically an honor shared with the Fox's Den on New Avalon) so he visited often enough to need the room.

    Once inside, Galen hit the switches that not only locked the door but activated a considerable number of anti-eavesdropping measures. "The Kell Hounds report that the computer systems at their base on Arc-Royal were compromised."

    "Dammit!" Victor threw himself into the chair behind his desk. "Don't tell me that they were the leak that let the Red Corsair stay ahead of us so long."

    "Given that that was one of the few places that she could have found out that they were lying in wait for her, they doubt that," his aide pointed out. "No, the evidence seems to suggest that the tampering took place around the time of Salome Ward's funeral."

    Victor's eyes narrowed. Morgan Kell's wife had been buried after the defeat of the bandit, the ceremony deferred until the Kell Hounds could gather openly and their founder was sufficiently recovered. "Then who did it? And what were they after?"

    "In reverse order? They had downloaded the entire databases captured from the Red Corsair's dropships for analysis and someone pulled out a number of files. It was only uncovered because some of the data was corrupted and they had to go back to the source to crosscheck. They found an entire communications cache had been deleted from their copies."

    "Son of a bitch!" The Archon-Prince slammed his fist into his desk. "Phelan?"

    "He was there," Galen confirmed. "And he knows their system almost as well as the technicians that run it."

    "He was kicked out of the Nagelring for cracking military databases he had no business looking at. It seems like he hasn't learned a thing." He shook his head. "It has to be him. What did they find out?"

    "The missing communications were between Nekane Hazen and Conal Ward," his aide told him, sitting down opposite the desk. "A Jade Falcon bloodname and a Wolf one."

    "Conal Ward used to command one of the Wolves' frontline Galaxies." The younger man thought back to conversations with Phelan while they'd raced to Tharkad for his mother's funeral. There'd been little to do except exchange stories. "He got pushed out to bandit hunting duties after Tukayyid - there was a scandal involving Phelan's bloodname trials and he took the demotion rather than be openly disgraced."

    "Yes, it seems he commands the Thirty-First Wolf Solahma Cluster - a unit that Clan Wolf had loaned to the Steel Vipers to help them hunt for the Red Corsair." Galen paused for emphasis. "He would have had access to all the data we shared about her movements and what we were doing to catch her."

    Victor nodded. "He was our leak?"

    "It isn't proof, but it's incriminating," the tall officer agreed. "And Phelan deleting it would make sense. Clan Wolf being behind the Red Corsair would be explosive. It could bring down the ilKhan."

    IlKhan Ulric Kerensky was one of the pillars holding the truce together. As much as Victor hated it, he couldn't entirely fault Phelan for wanting to cover this up. "And Nekane Hazen?"

    "We have no file there, but Nelson Geist confirmed the voice print sounded just like the Red Corsair." Galen shrugged. "How a Jade Falcon and a Wolf got entangled to create her force I have no idea, we may never know."

    Leaning back, Victor studied the ceiling contemplatively. "It tells us two things. Firstly, whatever Phelan says about the Clans hating deception doesn't hold up in practice. They're just as hypocritical as our own 'loyal opposition'."

    "Either that or they are learning quickly."

    "It amounts to the same," he dismissed the qualification. "And secondly, at least some of Clan Wolf are siding with the Crusaders. That means Phelan's hints that Clan Wolf might side with us if the truce collapses are worthless."

    "I hate to say it, but you're right. Some of them might - I think he's sincere." Galen met Victor's gaze. "But your cousin has only lived among the Clans for a few years. It's probable he doesn't have the whole picture. Their politics are probably just as complicated as our own."

    "Some would be better than none, but we can't count on it." Victor straightened. "I take it that that was the bad news? Brighten my day."

    The other man leant forwards. "LIC have captured the man who planted the bomb."

    Victor burst to his feet. "They have? Why didn't you… no, that was my fault." He leant over the desk. "How did they catch him?! And who is he working for?"

    "They got sneaky," Galen explained. "They used Kai Allard-Liao's people on Solaris to reach out into the underworld and expressed interest in hiring someone for a job 'as difficult as assassinating the Archon'."

    "And they believed that?"

    "The idea they floated was that one of Kai's most trusted associates was skimming from Cenotaph Stables and wanted Kai to go home to St Ives. Killing Candace Liao would force him to do that. Sordid, but that sort of thing does happen on Solaris."

    Victor exhaled. "And they're sure it's the real assassin, not some poser?"

    "Under chemical interrogation, he knew far too much about how the bombing was arranged. Either he had complete access to our own investigation into your mother's death, or he was the one that did it." Galen exhaled. "As to who hired him, that we're still working on. They used multiple cut-outs and at least some of them are dead. But we do have a lead."

    "Tell me."

    "The assassin didn't exactly trust his employer so he'd checked the money trail of how he got paid. That gave LIC investigators a lead and the team on Solaris sent that ahead by HPG. We have the best forensic accountants in the Inner Sphere and it didn't take them long to chase that through the banks."

    "And?" Victor demanded. "We don't know yet who it was, but they must have something."

    Galen hesitated. "The money originated in the sale of lands held by the Steiner Family Trust," he admitted. "Who ordered it, we don't know… but a senior member of House Steiner used your mother's own funds to finance her assassination."

    The Archon-Prince stared at him in disbelief. "One of my own family."

    "It's not a long list of suspects," Galen admitted, then licked his lips. "And if this gets out… your name will be on the list."

    "Who benefits?" Victor whispered thickly.

    A nod.

    Victor had become Archon-Prince upon his mother's death. The fact he had asked her to take over as First Prince, that she had offered to abdicate both thrones… he hadn't even told his siblings about that. Only he and his mother had been privy to that conversation.

    To the public, if this came out he would be painted as an usurper and a matricide. The Steiner Family Trust was deliberately set up so that trustees could draw on it without being subject to too much scrutiny - a safeguard to keep them from using it against each other. It would be very easy for one of them to mask exactly who had ordered a given transaction.

    "Ryan fucking Steiner," he cursed. "He's a trustee and this would be just like him."

    "Plausible, but hard to prove."

    "Where is the assassin?" Victor asked.

    "On ice. He can be put on trial if you want, but that would raise questions of his employer, which is most likely the trap that is intended by paying him like that. Agent Curaitis suggested he could be killed while resisting arrest, but warned that in that case it would suggest he was being silenced."

    "Pointing suspicions back at me." The Archon-Prince shook his head. "Tell them to keep interrogating him. Look for anything else at all we can use. There is no such thing as a perfect crime!" He tried to ignore his sister's voice, the way Kathy had once told him that an engineering solution didn't need to be perfect… just good enough.
     
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    • Chapter 18

    Castle Davion, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    6 December 3055

    Helen Trempeleau had eyes that Kate recognised, the eyes of someone who was driven. Almost fanatical.

    The younger woman had chosen to meet her on one of the balconies overlooking the mountains behind Castle Davion rather than her office. It was cold today, but the weather was crisp rather than damp, and Kate wasn't short of warm clothing.

    "Your highness," the Marquessa of Filtvet said stiffly.

    Kate smiled warmly, hoping to melt some of the ice. "Your grace. Welcome back to New Avalon."

    "It's a beautiful world." Trempeleau walked to the edge of the balcony and indicated the view. "There are many views like this on worlds along the Outback. But if we were looking south…"

    "Not so many cities to rival Avalon City."

    "No." The older woman rested her hands on the rail. "Once, New Avalon was no richer than Filtvet, but it has grown into a rival for Terra itself… something fuelled by the Federated Suns. I've spent my life trying to get return on that investment for my people."

    Kate nodded. "My father recognised that, granting you the title of Marquessa provisionally." She pulled an archaic scroll from one pocket, a red ribbon securing it. "He always planned to make that permanent and my brother has asked me to confirm it on his behalf. Your title to Filtvet is hereby entailed to you and your heirs, in token of the herculean efforts you have made, and are continuing to make, on behalf of the people of the Federated Commonwealth."

    "I am not ungrateful." Trempeleau accepted the scroll. "But this is not my reason for doing what I do."

    "Of course not. I've had cause to learn the difference between those seeking power for their own aggrandization and those who want the tools to serve our people. I know what side of that line you stand."

    The marquessa bowed her head slightly. "And I believe I can say the same of you. But if this," she waved the scroll lightly, "was all that you wished to deliver then it could have been done in one of your open court sessions. I surmise that you have more in mind?"

    Kate nodded. "Jeffrey Calderon's ascension to lead the Taurian Concordat raises the possibility of lower tensions in that part of the border regions. Together with the industrial developments on June, systems in that area are at least showing some fledgling signs of progress."

    "I can't deny that, although you understand that I hope for much more."

    "It's twelve months since the attack on Bryceland," the Archon-Prince's sister said quietly.

    Trempeleau tilted her head at the change of subject. "Yes, I remember the attack there."

    "We have had reports now that Fuchida's Fusiliers have set up base on Tortuga," Kate continued. "That leaves them in striking distance of much of our border, particularly the Broken Wheel combat region." Which was home to, among other things, Trempeleau's homeworld of Filtvet.

    She saw the older woman's knuckles whiten around the scroll. "You know what that means."

    "Raids that steal the resources and the people needed to build the prosperity that you've been working towards."

    "Your father should never have pulled the garrison from Tortuga."

    "He had few good choices," Kate pointed out. "Trevaline remains imprisoned and as disgusting as the pirates there are, they are not an existential threat to the entire Commonwealth." Unlike the Clans. "But I am a firm believer in the principle of putting out fires before they become conflagrations."

    "Trevaline should have been hung. Would have been, if she had faced trial on one of the worlds she preyed upon."

    Kate shrugged. "Probably, yes. But tampering with the courts' decisions is something that should never be done lightly. Tyranny has begun with smaller steps than that. She remains imprisoned, and now we have the Fusiliers to deal with. Marshal Davion has agreed that under the circumstances we should prioritize re-establishing the Broken Wheel Crucis March Militia but that will still take at least another year."

    "In that time… two raids at least, maybe more. There were already pirates on Tortuga, they have been moving back since the AFFC left," Trempeleau reminded her. "The Fusiliers will be the largest and best organized, but that is all." Then she shook her head. "I think you have another plan in mind."

    "And you are correct, but I cannot do this alone." Kate folded her arms. "I have agreements in place that would provide us a small task force that should be enough to invade Tortuga and burn out the pirates there again - ideally catching the Fusiliers or at least destroying their support base."

    "That would be wonderful. I suppose holding it would be too much."

    The princess nodded in agreement. "Unfortunately, yes. Many of those sent will be cadets, backed up by mercenaries and a mixed brigade drawn from New Avalon's own garrison. There is a relatively short interval before they are needed elsewhere - mercenaries will be supplementing the Broken Wheel CMM until its own 'mech regiment is ready to be deployed, for example."

    "Who are you hiring?" asked Trempeleau.

    "Wolverton's Highlanders."

    "I've never heard of them,."

    "They are a relatively recently formed unit." And one of the reasons they were interested in the contract Kate had offered was that it gave them the chance to get their forces used to working together against pirates rather than being thrown up against the Clans. "Some of their officers have clashed with the Fusiliers previously, so it is unlikely that they can be convinced to defect in the same way."

    "That was my main concern," Trempeleau agreed honestly. "It would be a disaster if they turned their coats and the cadets found themselves caught between two forces. I assume from your earlier remarks that you intend to send the First Albion Training Cadre?"

    "Yes. They and the Highlanders are fairly lightly equipped, but the Fusiliers will be badly outnumbered. We'll be relying on armor for heavy firepower… assuming we can reach Tortuga in the first place."

    "Is that where I come in?"

    Kate nodded. "The AFFC can free up the combat units… but jumpships are another matter and we'll need more than a dozen dropships for this operation. I understand that you have extensive contacts with free traders across the outback. Do you think you can assemble enough vessels to transport them to Tortuga and back?"

    The marquessa frowned in thought. "It would be costly. Not just in paying them, many of them are handling important cargo routes that sustain the local economies. I can see that preventing raids would offset that, but it will take more than throwing C-bills at the problem."

    She said nothing, watching as the older woman considered the problem.

    "How many dropships are we talking exactly?" Trempeleau said at last.

    "Fifteen." The Highlanders had five, and she had arranged a pair of Excaliburs to carry elements of the New Avalon CMM. Unfortunately there were few large dropships available for the Albion cadets, so they would need a total of eight dropships for all their equipment.

    The marquessa shook her head. "I can manage a dozen, at most. I know five captains who would be willing to take this on, but that's only enough for twelve dropships. Can you not find even one?"

    Kate had been afraid of that. "There's really only one option - Challenger Systems are working up an Invader-class jumpship that will be ready for its trials early next year. We can get it crewed for this, but it means this will be its shakedown voyage."

    "A new vessel?"

    "Salvaged," Kate admitted. The risks of using a restored Kearny-Fuchida drive were very real, but the realm needed every jumpship and breaking it down to be reforged from the start would take years. "If it's not fit then we can go in short by one battalion of cadets. It could be worse."

    It would also mean one squadron less of aerospace fighters, which might be worse if the jumpships needed to be defended. One could not expect pirates to respect the treaties that protected jumpships against direct attack.

    "It could always be worse," Trempeleau told her in the tone of long experience. "Alright, I will send messages. Let's scotch those bastards on Tortuga before they set the Outback on fire with their raids."


    Chapter 19

    The Triad, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    14 December 3055

    The numbers on display looked formidable, representing battlemechs being shipped from the Suns' three Marches to supply the forces facing the Clans. The Crucis March produced the most, principally from New Avalon itself although there were outlying sites like StarCorps' factory on Crofton or the new Lycomb-Davion production from June. After that, the Capellan March's output from Kathil and Talon came a close second. The Draconis March, devastated by multiple invasions by the Combine, was a distant third - most of their factories had been wrecked and others were now ruled by House Kurita.

    Enough war material to fight a small war was being shipped through the Terran corridor every year. It was unfortunate that the Clan Invasion was not a small war. Even though the truce had held so far, raiding by both sides was causing mounting losses and replacing those was using up a great deal of the new production.

    Even more unfortunately, higher bars stood next to each column that represented a factory's output. Those marked what was expected to arrive. As a percentage, they weren't huge, but in aggregate there were close to two regiments of 'mechs missing.

    "It's adding up to trouble," Galen agreed, looking at the display.

    "Tell me something I don't know." Victor banished the holo display. "Someone is costing us equipment we need."

    "What does Lisa Steiner say?" his aide asked reasonably. This was a problem for Quartermaster Command, after all.

    The Archon-Prince shook his head. "Her numbers back up what we are receiving. Someone is dirty, the only reason I know there's a gap is because James Sandoval was boasting about how many 'mechs were coming out of the new Clint production lines and it doesn't match what I was hearing from my cousin."

    Galen nodded. "And the reason you're not putting the military police onto this?"

    "It's their job to find this in the first place," snapped Victor. "They didn't find this to begin with, which means someone has compromised them as well. Right now I'm tempted to unleash the Intelligence Secretariat, but that would be almost as damaging as this is to begin with."

    He took his friend's rueful look as agreement. Bringing in the intelligence services to dig into military affairs would be impossible to keep quiet. The AFFC would be demoralized, recruitment numbers would drop and that was before the Estates General reacted. Over-reacted was more likely - Victor had only had to deal with the Lyran legislature for six months now and he didn't think 'proportionate response' was in their vocabulary.

    "There's basically three possibilities," Galen told him, holding up that many fingers. "They're being taken at the distribution side at this end, they're being diverted at some point in transit or finally the problem is at the factory end."

    "If they're getting to this end, what would be the point of not sending them on to the units?" Victor asked what he felt was a reasonable question.

    "There is a lot of demand from mercenary units for upgrade kits and new 'mech designs," Galen pointed out. "A supply officer could make enough to retire off just selling a few 'mechs. A couple of hundred 'mechs…"

    "It would be noticeable if a mercenary regiments was fielding entire companies of advanced 'mechs."

    "One or two would be less obvious. And then there are foreign purchasers."

    The Archon-Prince grimaced. "That would be treason and I'd have no choice but to open an official investigation into Quartermaster Command."

    "Unfortunately that's just as likely for any point in the supply chain," Galen admitted. "Being honest, the Draconis Combine is desperate enough for more 'mechs that they probably wouldn't look too closely at the origins. And then there are the Capellans…"

    "And then there are internal buyers," Victor said, thinking of Ryan Steiner. "There are too many candidates. For that matter, with Kathy standing up additional March Militia units I can't entirely rule out the chance that someone in that program is shuffling production."

    Galen chuckled. "I think new 'mechs would stand out even more in the March Militias than… actually, no. The rationalization she's pushed for is shuffling a lot of 'mechs. Frontline units in the Capellan March would be delighted to trade older designs to the Militia in exchange for more than a token share of what's being sent to the Tamar March at the moment."

    Victor stood and paced across his office. "We're not going to solve this here," he admitted. "But there are too many places where this has to be going on. Finding the destination of these 'mechs might be a better way."

    "I don't think you should cut across the chain of command," his friend warned.

    "Nondi is already asking to resign. She has nothing to lose by going public if she thinks I'm targeting her children," he explained. "She's loyal to her family and if I put her in the position of choosing between me and Lisa…" He crossed the office again. "If the 'mechs are ending up on the Capellan March then Morgan should be able to find out - if nothing else, his son George is on the Capellan March's command staff at the moment." Morgan Hasek-Davion himself was Duke of the March but he hadn't had a direct hand in its affairs for over a decade now.

    The Leftenant General nodded. "Alright, if we're making back-channel checks then the Tenth Lyran Guards are on the frontlines. We can ask them and the Kell Hounds to check for any mercenaries with an unusual amount of advanced 'mechs. That still leaves a few possibilities though."

    "Checking for foreign militaries possessing our newest designs would be something I can ask the Intelligence Secretariat to prioritize without raising suspicion." Victor felt better now that he at least had a plan that might help. "That leaves Skye…"

    "At the risk of the obvious, have you considered asking Peter?"

    He laughed. "Have you seen Peter trying to be subtle?" His brother seemed to have settled in reasonably well with the March Militia, once he had got over his sulk at not getting to face the Clans.

    "I can't say that I have," admitted Galen.

    "Nor have I."

    The older man snorted. "Alright. Fair point. But we already have reason to believe Ryan is behind your mother's death. There's no reason to think he'd stop at diverting military equipment to his own purposes."

    "I know," Victor agreed. "Unfortunately, even if he isn't involved then he has every reason to be watching for any investigations into his affairs." There was already suspicion that some of the Lyran intelligence assets in Skye had been subverted. It was almost twenty years since the last Skye Rebellion and both sides had learned lessons about what had and hadn't worked. If Free Skye made a second attempt, it was unlikely to end as easily.

    "Do we assume that if the 'mechs aren't found somewhere else that Ryan has them? That would indicate he's both willing and ready to pull the trigger on another revolt."

    He sighed. "I think so. I'll have to turn down Kathy's request that I visit New Avalon now that Tharkad is settling down. If there's rebellion in Skye then I'd have to deal with it from the Suns side of the Commonwealth and that almost ended in disaster last time."


    Chapter 20

    Marius, June
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    9 January 3056

    Kate took her time greeting the crowd that was waiting for her at the space port. A line of infantry from the New Avalon CMM formed a cordon, blocking the citizens from crossing a defined line, but Katherine was able to walk along that line and shake hands that were extended past the soldiers.

    By the end of it, her fingers felt like they'd been through a mangle, but she was hopeful that the event and footage from it would help to bolster loyalties. To her amusement, James Sandoval had joined her at the impromptu reception and he was massaging his hand as they entered the terminal.

    "Do you ever get used to that sort of thing?" she asked.

    The duke shook his hand again. "I never have, but it isn't usually an issue for me. I spend most of my time on military affairs."

    "I'm sure Victor would love to do that," Kate observed and then they reached the 'real' reception party, led by Marquessa Trempeleau and the planetary governor.

    "I see you travel in style," the latter greeted Kate after bowing over her much abused hand. He indicated the massive Excalibur dropships behind her. "Those might be the largest dropships we've seen in years."

    "I expect that will change as industry develops here," she told him, before exchanging kisses on the cheek with Helen Trempeleau. The two Excaliburs carried the contribution of the Crucis March Militia to the upcoming operations. Once they took off from June the assumption would be that they were accompanying Kate back to New Avalon, but actually they would slip into carefully arranged free dropship collars along a trade spur to Filtvet - the rendezvous with Wolverton's Highlanders, the First Albion Training Cadre and the promised jumpships.

    Sandoval drew the governor's attention - a Davion arriving on a world of the Crucis March wasn't unprecedented, although this far from New Avalon it was certainly newsworthy. A Sandoval, on the other hand, was exotic with his distinctive topknot.

    "What brings you all this way?" Governor Phule asked, without prevarication.

    "The princess made a good point about the vulnerability of depending on a single factory," the duke told him. "Robinson Standard Battleworks could be eradicated if the Combine made one successful raid on my homeworld. Having a secondary source of parts to support the designs we build would provide a measure of financial security for the firm - and if June is good enough for Lycomb-Davion then it may well be a good choice for my family's investments."

    "I'm flattered to hear that." Phule seemed overwhelmed. "I confess, the firms that are providing components for Lycomb-Davion are already competing fiercely for skilled workers. It will take a while for us to train up enough to let them work on everything that is currently projected."

    Sandoval chuckled. "It would be several years from now. We are faced with similar issues on Robinson and I would need enough staff to serve as a cadre for the workforce here."

    "And that," Kate said in a quiet voice, indicating the conversation to the marquessa, "will justify increased investment from the Ministry of Education."

    "Military production isn't the ideal backbone for industrial production," she replied, "But it's a start and once there is a workforce here, it will draw in other firms. Will Lycomb-Davion be continuing to expand here?"

    "I hope so. The factory on New Avalon kept them afloat when their main manufacturing plant on Demeter was destroyed in the First Succession War," Kate pointed out. "It's very unlikely that anything would go wrong on New Avalon, but redundancy is always worthwhile. The design for the factory allows space for additional battlemech production and even mirroring production of the Stuka here."

    "You are ambitious," Trempeleau admitted. "Then again, this is a design you developed yourself?"

    "An adaptation of an existing design. There are a number of components that aren't available any more, but Lycomb-Davion used to build the Guillotine for the SLDF. Replacing the weapons with available models was relatively straightforward, but the structural members are built out of endosteel which is the big breakthrough. IMBU is the only company that still built the 'mech through the Succession Wars but we don't know if they even have the design data on the original chassis. For that matter, we found no record of a cooling system using double-heatsinks even though it must have been within their capability…" She broke off. "Sorry, I'm getting off topic."

    "No, I admire your enthusiasm. Do you think you'll work on designing something from scratch?"

    "I really don't have the time," Kate admitted. "I'll be serving with the AFFC through to 3058, but even after that I could be called on for visits like this as Victor's viceroy. That would be more than a little disruptive to working with a design team. And that sort of thing is a team effort, if I'd been trying to design the Guillotine's modifications myself I'd still be working on it."

    The doors ahead of them parted and a small group of security men conferred with Kate's own detail before their charge entered the terminal.

    "Katherine." Marie Hasek-Davion marched up and hugged her. "And Helen, it has been so long."

    "Aunt Marie?" the princess exclaimed. "What…"

    "I wanted to surprise you," the octogenarian Davion informed her. "I missed your birthday, but this is nearer than New Avalon."

    "Seeing you is the best gift," Kate assured her.

    "Well, I would have been here with the reception committee, but I don't get moving as easily as I used to."

    The marquessa moved back a little but Marie pulled her close and blatantly leant upon her. "And you haven't written to me in six months, Helen."

    "I sent you a letter for Christmas."

    "That doesn't count." Kate's aunt leant over conspiratorially. "I used to bother Helen all the time for advice on working with the worlds along the rimward end of the Capellan March after my husband died."

    "It certainly hasn't been six months, even so. And you last wrote to me in August," Trempeleau accused mildly. "Anyway, today is Princess Katherine's day."

    "Well, we agree about that, anyway."

    Kate took her aunt's free arm and the three women headed towards the limousines waiting for them. It would be a drive of at least an hour to the site where she was scheduled dig the first shovelful of excavations for Lycomb's main facility. Up until now, they had been working on offices and the infrastructure to support the factory but the intention was that the principal assembly for the Guillotines would be underground, in imitation of their facilities on New Avalon - both for security reasons and because it would have less impact upon the landscape of June.

    Enough worlds had seen their environments laid waste by short-term industrialization to fuel the Succession Wars. One of the terms insisted on by June's government before they agreed to the purchase of the site by Lycomb-Davion that they would not be cleaning up after the firm for centuries to come.

    It was a bright and sunny day. Looking back on it, Kate would mark it as the highest point of her time as viceroy.
     
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    • Chapter 21

    Mount Asgard, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    28 January 3056

    "What are we dealing with?" Victor demanded as he marched into the nerve center of Mount Asgard, the operational command chamber.

    Nondi Steiner was standing with Morgan Hasek-Davion, both examining the main holodisplay, which was focused on the Sarna March and adjoining regions of the bordering Marches and the Free Worlds League. Fiery orange markers dotted the star systems like a spreading fire. To Victor's private irritation the two marshals seemed fresh even though he knew they had probably been rousted out of bed the same way that he had.

    It was the senior of the two who spoke. "Reports are still coming in, Victor. But it appears to be a coordinated wave of terrorist attacks, hitting within hours of each other. Too close in succession for word to get out to neighboring worlds, meaning that local commanders were no more on guard than normal."

    "Terrorists." He had expected something like this in Skye. Not here. Victor stepped closer and looked at the map. The strikes had hit worlds from Sarna to Tikonov and from there to worlds within a jump of Terra. He was painfully aware that he had borne the title Duke of Sarna his entire adult life and visited the region all of once. He had never even seen Sarna itself. "Capellan-backed?"

    "It's a safe bet. There has been no statement, but we can expect one soon from them. Chancellor Liao will no doubt deny any involvement."

    "Yes, I can almost hear his mealy-mouthed excuses, blaming everything on poor government." Victor shook his head. "My government, that is. What are casualties like?"

    "More than three thousand," Nondi said, speaking for the first time. "Military personnel are prominent, as are government officials. But most of them are civilians who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

    "Three thousand so far," Morgan added. "Reports are still coming in."

    "ComStar making mint." The Archon-Prince looked at the map, seeking out the icons of military forces. "And our responses so far?"

    "Unavoidably limited. This isn't a situation where battlemechs will help," his cousin warned. "Except for a few relief missions. Martial law has been declared on most of the affected worlds - either globally or in the localities targeted. Our people have a good playbook, but the concern is that whoever these people are, they may have read it."

    "Priority message from New Avalon," one of the aides reported, bringing up a screen.

    For a moment, Victor was afraid that something might have happened to one of his sisters. The face of Jackson Davion showed only calm resolve though as he announced that AFFC units in the Draconis and Capellan Marches were redeploying to secure worlds along the edges of Sarna to contain the situation.

    "Good, that should at least calm things a little," Morgan concluded. He reached over onto the main display and tapped Tikonov, one of the worlds affected that was not part of the Sarna March. "He doesn't have much to work with, but as long as we have a solid grip here, David doesn't need to worry about his rear."

    Morgan was right, Victor realized. The forces Jackson was discussing were March Militia or even planetary guard regiments that almost never left their homeworlds. Field Marshal Sandoval, younger brother of the Duke of Robinson, had more troops to work with but several of the units had markers indicating disruptions to the chain of command.

    "Making bricks without straw," he said without looking up. "Can we spare any reinforcements?"

    "It would be symbolic at best," his aunt replied. "I hate to say I told you so, but there aren't even many mercenaries in the area that aren't already affected. Perhaps your sister was right to want to reform the Kathil March Militia. They wouldn't be too far from the area."

    "Well, none of us can go back in time to expedite that. Although if you have any ideas to move that along faster, Morgan…?"

    The Marshal of Armies nodded. "If we draw on the Capellan Dragoons and my Kathil Uhlans, we can provide a cadre to move forwards with a 'mech regiment for the March Militia, as well as their aerospace element."

    "Do it. It may not help now but I doubt that this is the end of this."

    That got grim nods from everyone in the room.

    "If we disperse to deal with these attacks, that could leave us open to action by the League or the Capellans." Victor paused and then shook his head. "Probably not the League, not while Joshua Marik is being treated on New Avalon, but Sun-Tzu is another matter. He was a lunatic when we met on Outreach and however mad it might be for him to try to retake the Sarna March, he might think this is the best chance he will get."

    "No one ever got rich betting on Liaos being rational," Morgan agreed. "But that doesn't mean they're idiots either. All the reports from the Capellan Confederation paint him as a significant improvement over his mother, at least in the eyes of those he rules. He's popular and at a minimum, he seems to be well advised. Offering to marry Thomas Marik's daughter was brilliant - however distant the prospect is, the Captain-General can't pass up the chance to bring the Confederation into the Free Worlds League by marriage. At a very minimum, it made it impossible for us to finish them off while the Truce of Tukayyid keeps the Clans at bay."

    The Archon-Prince made a face. "You think I'm underestimating him."

    "The best swordsman doesn't fear the second-best," the redheaded Marshal reminded him.

    "No, he fears the amateur he can't predict." Despite himself he chuckled. "Of course, compared to Sun-Tzu, I am the one who lacks experience as a ruler. Perhaps this is his way of testing me."

    Nondi turned her back on the display. "If so, what are you going to show him?"

    Victor stepped up and looked at her. "I want a measured response. He wants me angry. He wants me to give him an excuse. Tell David Sandoval that whatever these people say, they are to be treated as criminals. Don't give them the over-reaction they want. Keep it clean and professional."

    "That will not be easy," she warned.

    "I never imagined it would be," he said. "But right now we have what looks like a brewing rebellion on Skye and Sun-Tzu is poking at us. If we give him the incidents he wants, we'll have to commit to full occupation of the Sarna March and we're already short on troops. If we show them that we are not going to treat them the way the Liaos handled this, then I hope we can settle this down and never have to do it again."

    "In the long run, that's worked for the Capellan March," Morgan advised. "But I do mean the long run. We held Kittery for more than a generation by the 3020s and there was still backing for the Maskirova to carry out attacks like this on our troops there."

    "And yet we were able to establish the Kittery Borderers to hold the world effectively."

    "Against outside raids, yes. The Borderers were not precisely an anti-terrorist unit." Morgan leant over the display and then shook his head. "I'm aware that he isn't your favorite person, Victor, but consider reaching out to Tormano Liao. His Free Capellan organization could be the key to solving this."

    Victor folded his arms defensively. Tormano wanted to convert the Sarna March into his own fief, to rival the technically independent St Ives Compact ruled by his sister. Giving him more influence felt like a mistake.

    But Morgan had voiced the same distaste for the exiled Capellan prince and if he felt that this was worthwhile...

    The conversation was interrupted, before the Archon-Prince could reply, by the aide from before. "New information, your highness. There has been a formal statement by an organization calling themselves the Zhanzeng de Guang, claiming responsibility for the attacks."

    "Can someone give me a translation of that?" Victor asked.

    One of the analysts spoke up. "Roughly speaking, it means 'Light of War', your highness."

    "Light of War." He shook his head. "That fits. They want a war. They want to legitimize themselves as soldiers."

    Nondi nodded. "Do you intend to make a direct statement in response?"

    "I don't plan to dignify them like that. In fact, if Sandoval hasn't made a statement then I recommend he leave that to the judicial arm of the Ministry of Sarna. As far as the media is concerned, cast any AFFC action as them acting in support of the emergency services. These attacks are crimes, the 'Light of War' are an organized crime group and they are to be prosecuted as criminals. Emphasize the number of civilian deaths that they are responsible for. Hopefully the people around them will accept that they are the threat and we are at least trying to protect them."


    Chapter 22

    Castle Davion, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    19 February 3056

    "Excuse me, your highness." Alison Campbell knocked lightly on the door before opening it and entering Kate's office. "You have an alpha-priority message from the Archon-Prince."

    "Alpha-priority?" Kate asked, unsure she'd heard that correctly. That meant ComStar had been paid the excessive fees (and NAIS had, since Operation Scorpion left the HPGs across the realm temporarily in the hands of the AFFC, a pretty good idea what it actually cost in operational terms) to forward the message all the way here from Tharkad, rather than waiting for the usual schedule of transmissions. It shaved days off the delivery time - weeks or months if the message was being sent to somewhere that wasn't already a busy communications hub. "It can't be a reply to my last letter then."

    The Zhanzeng de Guang attacks had made for a mess on her return to New Avalon. Everyone was angry about them but the fact was that little more could be done. Kate agreed with Victor about treating them as criminals not combatants, although she wished he would have at least made the formal statement on them himself. The current situation created the impression that he did not care.

    "I couldn't say," her secretary admitted. "It's classified for your eyes only."

    "Bloody hell." She shuffled her paperwork aside - it was 'just' CMM reports she had to be up to date on. Nothing that would shake the realm, but the New Avalon CMM was short-handed with the better part of three regiments worth of forces out in the Periphery, so Kate was faced with more work than had been the case for a while. "Alright, I see it," she added, checking her comms and entering her code. "Thank you for letting me know."

    Alison left politely - she was a cousin of sorts, by way of Kate's paternal grandmother - a fact Kate hadn't known when she picked her for the post. Over a decade older than the princess, she was efficient but always seemed on the edge of trying to mother her, drawing back every time the impulse became evident.

    Setting that relationship aside as the door closed, Kate opened the message. There were several attachments, but the main message was a vidmail. Victor had been better about sending them rather than letters now that he was at Tharkad and not constantly on the move. She keyed the command to open it.

    "Kathy," her brother greeted her. "There's been trouble on Lyons. No, Peter's not hurt -"

    She'd reached out to pause the message on hearing the name of the world but didn't manage to until the clarification reached her. That was indeed where Peter had been posted and it took her a moment to steady herself. Losing Dad… in this very room, had been bad enough. Then Mom…

    Shaking herself - she was no longer a child - she re-started the message from the beginning.

    "Kathy, there's been trouble on Lyons," the image of Victor repeated. "No, Peter's not hurt but he's in trouble. I can't entirely blame him, he was set up, but right now he's hovering on the edge of a court martial and we need to de-escalate the situation."

    "There was an incident near a pacifist commune associated with Free Skye," the message continued. "Someone shot at him from their buildings and he did what he was trained to do: returned fire. The whole place must have been wired with explosives, because it went up like a firework factory. Bellerive burned to the ground and footage was sent out that made his shots seem unprovoked."

    Kate had to stop the message again. She walked to the discreet fridge and poured ice into a glass, then added just a sliver of the good whisky. She wasn't much of a drinker but right now she had a feeling she could do with a mild relaxant. A sip of the contents calmed her nerves and she set the glass back on the desk before resuming the replay.

    "Peter had the presence of mind to keep possession of his BattleROMs, so we can prove his innocence if it comes to that, but in the court of public opinion the first news out tends to win out. We're very fortunate that Free Skye cheaped out on their communications and tried to forward it via an official government account. ComStar picked it out as unusually large for one of the messages, found an encrypted data package and decided to ask me if I really wanted it sent."

    Going directly to the Archon-Prince? They must have looked at it first, Kate thought. Then again, if anyone really believed that ComStar didn't have the option to read every message sent via their HPGs she would be more than happy to offer them a bargain to buy a bridge over one of the Martian canals.

    "We have the opportunity to get the first shot in," her brother continued. "If we showed the BattleROM, then we'd have to acknowledge that whatever else, Peter did fire on a civilian settlement. I'd rather not do that so instead what's been suggested is that we repackage the footage as promotional material for a holovid. That way if Free Skye manage to get it into the media we can discredit them as 're-editing' someone else's footage. They'd be a laughing stock."

    That seemed like a good plan to Kate. It was even possible that if Free Skye tried that they could be sued for breach of copyright, which would be a fitting punishment for them trying to frame her brother for a massacre.

    Finishing the message, the princess checked her contacts list and then made a call. "Mr DeMarce, this is Katherine Steiner-Davion."

    The man stammered a greeting, apparently not having expected royalty to call him.

    "I believe you said something to the effect of how you were having trouble getting funding for one of your proteges."

    "Yes, your highness. I have a great deal of faith in Walt, but the major studios don't seem to think his talents are worthy of them."

    "I had a chance to look at his work on my way back from June," she lied. "Would he object to taking over someone else's project?"

    "If it gives him a chance to show his skills, I am sure Walt would work on anything you want him to," DeMarce assured her.

    Kate had her doubts, but it didn't have to be a good holovid. "All we have is the pitch and some footage intended for a trailer, no cast or anything," she told the talent scout. "The script draft was lost when the previous team… disbanded energetically, if you take my meaning."

    "I do indeed," he lied, no doubt already speculating about who this involved. "It sounds like Walt will have considerable freedom."

    "Yes. The pitch was a Skye mechwarrior framed by Capellan provocateurs for war crimes to be clearing his name during the Skye Revolt." She scribbled that down on her notepad as she invented it off the top of her head.

    "Ooh, that sounds political," the rotund man cooed. "Walt adores political. It's wonderful advertising. Ah, I do have to ask about budget."

    Kate had only the vaguest idea of what a holovid cost to make, but that was what her staff was for. "I'm waiting for that to be confirmed, but I'll have it sent to you with what we have footage-wise. If you can get him to put together a rough cut trailer from the footage, any costs there will be fronted by me personally."

    "Wonderful. I'll call him right now," DeMarce confirmed. "He will be so grateful, your highness."

    "It's my pleasure to help one of our artists," she assured him and cut the call. The blonde had only spoken to DeMarce twice, but everyone who attended any gathering she was at had a file she could access on little to no notice. You never knew when a connection like this might pay off.

    Turning on her comm console's camera she set it to record. "Victor, thank you for letting me know what happened. I'll send you the trailer as soon as my contacts get back to me with it. In the meantime, if you want Peter out of the line of fire you could send him to join one of the new March Militias being formed up here. Broken Wheel and Kathil could both do with junior officers and it would look good as a gesture of support for them…"


    Chapter 23

    The Triad, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    16 March 3056

    "Morgan, could you wait a moment?" Victor asked as the rest of the Commonwealth Council left the meeting room.

    "Certainly, Victor," his cousin agreed amiably, remaining seated as the gathering of ministers left the room. Only the Archon-Prince and his aide remained at the table with the Marshal of Armies.

    "Have you or George found anything to shed light on the missing battlemech shipments?" the youngest of the three asked bluntly.

    His reply was a shake of the head that left the Field Marshal's long red hair brushing both epaulets. "Unfortunately not. I contacted Ardan Sortek and he confirmed your numbers for production are accurate, and he is quite sure that those 'mechs aren't going to any of the March Militias or training commands."

    Victor sighed. "I didn't think that someone was sneaking that past my sister, but it's good to be sure. And George found nothing in the forces along the Capellan border?"

    "Not even the units in St Ives, which leaves only a few possibilities," Morgan told him grimly. "I take it that your investigations have been similarly fruitless."

    Galen shook his head. "Nothing has turned up. We do know that a few 'mechs have fallen into Capellan hands under cover of the Zhanzeng de Guang, but that's a separate matter and we managed to get a good account of what's in mercenary hands along the Tamar March."

    "I don't think you have much choice other than to call in a full audit of the Quartermaster Command's shipping," the redhead said bluntly. "You're not wrong about the possible consequences, but this has to be stopped - the numbers are continuing to rise."

    "Are we ready for a potential Skye Revolt then?" Victor asked challengingly. "Because if it is Ryan who is behind this, the moment he thinks we're onto him he'll go for that with all the forces available to him."

    "You're right, and we're not in an ideal position," his cousin confirmed. "But at this rate whoever is taking them will have closer to three regiments than two - at least by number of 'mechs - by the end of the year. And that's time they can use to train people to use them. The situation with the Clans seems to be more or less stable, so there's not going to be a better time."

    Victor rose from his seat and looked at Galen. "Do you agree?"

    "It's not a great situation," he said reluctantly, "But I don't see any other way."

    "Alright," the prince agreed. "That was my own thinking, but I was hoping that I was wrong. We can't pull the trigger just yet anyway - we should try and get some forces into position first, logistically and politically. The Gray Death Legion are on Glengarry, which gives us one solid foothold in Skye."

    Galen cleared his throat. "Colonel Carlyle is on his way to Tharkad," he reminded Victor. "You were planning to grant him title to the planet as a Baron."

    "Right. We can fill him in and time this to take place once he's back on Glengarry," he agreed. "How are we looking on Hesperus II?"

    "The Fifteenth Lyran Guards are reliable," Morgan told him. "And the Third Davion Guards were your father's old command. Given that we are not seeing the same losses of 'mechs leaving Hesperus II, I think we're solid there. The main concern is that we can't reasonably pull anything out of the Sarna March or the Federated Suns Command. They're far too stretched. It was the worst possible time for Katherine to have sent troops out into the Periphery, but she couldn't have known that."

    "Pull the Second Royal Guards off Tharkad," suggested Galen. "They are the Pride of Skye, that might have some symbolic effect."

    "Not unless Victor goes personally, which I do not recommend," Morgan warned. "But the Third Royal Guards are at Port Moseby and we can probably spare them. That would provide an elite strike force to back up the auditors. Have them move in, secure shipping passing through Skye itself and carry out inspections to see if what's on the dropships matches what was being sent. If it isn't then we know that the problem is Skye or further back. If that triggers an uprising, the Third Royals are one of the best RCTs to hold out until relieved."

    "And if they find that the shipments are all in order?" Victor asked. It would be a public relations coup for Ryan, who was clearly looking for one with the trick that he'd played on Peter.

    Morgan and Galen exchanged looks and shrugged. "All you can do at that point is declare that someone has been diverting shipments from the Federated Suns State Command and starting the search at the Terran Corridor makes sense as it's both our most vulnerable region and the choke point in logistics. If RIchard isn't involved then he should be glad to help look into it since it's a chance to prove his sister is also innocent."

    "At least we have contingencies for responding to a revolt." Victor wasn't sure why Ryan thought it was the right move - the man wanted the Archon's throne, so the last thing he would want was a successful secession by one of the Commonwealth's richest regions. If he thought Victor would react with crushing oppression, the handling of the Zhanzeng de Guang should have told him otherwise. "I'll need you to review both of those."

    "I'm surprised you don't want to have your hands on that." Morgan pushed himself to his feet. "Are you sure you're feeling yourself, Victor?"

    "There are times when even I delegate easy jobs to my underlings," the Archon-Prince joked. "Of course, if you'd rather carry out the preparations I was planning to then I would be more than happy to trade."

    "And what would that be?" the Marshal of Armies asked.

    "Breaking this to Nondi Steiner," he said flatly. "And keep her from telling her children about this until we're ready to go. Assuming I survive that, all I have to do is get Duchess Aten on board and given that she detests Ryan, it will take my best efforts to keep her from starting things off preemptively."

    Galen coughed. "Rather you than me."

    "Remember," Morgan said solemnly. "If you die in the attempt then this becomes Katherine's problem."

    Victor chuckled darkly. "Thank you for your sincere and loyal support, both of you. No, this is my job. Maybe she'll believe me if I say I think Ryan's trying to drag Lisa and Richard into this by pinning the blame for the thefts on them."

    "It's worth a try," Morgan agreed. "Just remember to duck if she throws anything at you."
     
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    • Chapter 24

    Castle Davion, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    16 March 3056

    Paul Fisher had been firmly warned that if he went off topic his career would follow Sven van Zandt's into the trashcan. The former talkshow host had taken a calculated risk in trying to lure Kate into acknowledging that there was more to the relationship between Victor and Omi Kurita than was public. His math had been poor and while there was no official consequence, his contract had not been renewed later that year and none of the other big five networks had been interested in picking him up. Reportedly, he had left New Avalon in hopes he'd have enough name recognition to pick up a senior post in a local network somewhere else.

    This time, the interview would be at Castle Davion and it would not be live. Any recordings would pass through Kate's public relations team before it went to the network.

    "Your highness," the journalist said, bowing politely. Then he saw Jackson Davion and his back straightened, snapping a textbook salute.

    "At ease," the Field Marshal told him. "I'd have thought that reflex would have worn down a little by now, it's been a couple of years since you served, isn't it?"

    "Yes sir." Fisher didn't relax much. "Some habits are harder to shake than others."

    "Who did you serve with, if you don't mind the question?" Kate asked as if she hadn't skimmed his file before he was approved for this interview.

    "Twenty-Sixth Lyran Guards," he admitted. "I wasn't combat arms though."

    Jackson chuckled. "The shaft of the spear is as important as the head. Without that a spear is just a dagger. Besides, anyone who survived three clashes with Clan Wolf's best deserves some recognition."

    "I've a lot of respect for those who stayed in," Fisher said frankly, "but I'd done my five and -" he lifted his walking stick. "- medical retirement was on offer." He smiled self-deprecatingly. "And being honest, I make a bit more these days than I did as a corporal."

    "I can't fault someone who put in more than five years' service," the blonde princess assured him. Particularly someone who was wounded while carrying an ejected mechwarrior back to the comms van that shouldn't have been on the battlefield to begin with. "Would you like to begin?"

    "Yes, I'm supposed to be the one interviewing you," agreed Fisher with a rueful chuckle. They moved to the seats that were set up for them - the lounge was set up for this with seats along one side of the room but plenty of room for the holocamera team on the other. One of the crew gave Fisher a thumbs up and he moved onto a few framing questions to set the scene for anyone watching who didn't recognise the two Davions.

    "I understand that the New Avalon CMM has a new battle honour," he asked as he had been primed to once the preliminaries were over.

    Jackson made a ceding gesture towards Kate. "That was her highness' work, so I'll let her explain."

    "There were a lot of people involved and I wasn't among those deployed," she said modestly. "But yes. Elements of the New Avalon CMM were part of an operation earlier this month that we've just had a report from. You may recall that the Fuchida Fusiliers, a mercenary command in the Draconis March, broke contract in 3051 rather than be redeployed to face the Clans. Since then they've carried out several raids on the Commonwealth and the Outworlds Alliance."

    "Yes, I recall they hit the Diverse Optics factory on Tancredi IV after their desertion," confirmed Fisher. "And then the March Militia base on Bryceland late in 3054."

    That got a grim nod from Jackson. "Last year we learned that they had set up base on Tortuga, using the same lair that the infamous Paula Trevaline had operated out of for years." He turned back to Kate and raised an eyebrow.

    "With help from Marquessa Tempeleau of Filtvet, we were able to move a force of two 'mech regiments and a mixed brigade from the New Avalon CMM into the area without tipping the Fusiliers off," she informed Fisher. "The force has now returned to Filtvet and report that their attack on Tortuga was successful, catching the bulk of the Fusiliers on the ground along with four other pirate bands. Heavily outnumbered, the pirates scattered and tried to shelter in the wilds but the First Albion and the Wolverton Highlanders hunted them down and brought down more than seventy battlemechs while the conventional forces destroyed the support facilities and rescued thousands of prisoners."

    "Excuse me, by 'First Albion' do you mean the First Albion Training Cadre? Cadets fresh out of an academy were deployed for this?"

    Kate shook her head. "The Training Cadre isn't made up of cadets, Paul. The soldiers are inexperienced, on their first deployments, but most have almost as much time in service as I do. If I wasn't serving as Viceroy, I might well have been one of the mechwarriors sent by the CMM."

    Although most of the New Avalon troops deployed had been infantry and armor, a single company of battlemechs had been sent with them. Kate tried not to think about Clara Rowan, the only one of the twelve mechwarriors involved who would not be returning to New Avalon.

    Clara's Javelin had been caught in an ambush as the CMM pushed into Raider's Roost, an SRM Carrier dug into cover hammering the light 'mech with a massive salvo of missiles at point-blank range. The rest of her lance had taken out the thinly armored combat vehicle before it got a second shot, but Clara had been forced to eject and taken shrapnel to the back before she could be picked up.

    Medical science had come a long way since the Succession Wars, in no small part to NAIS' medical college… but Kate's friend would be doing well to walk again. Piloting a 'mech was out of the question.

    "You're right, of course," Fisher said apologetically. "Were you hoping for a frontline assignment? You and your brother Peter have both been sent to March Militia posts whereas Victor served with distinction in the Tenth Lyran Guards."

    "There's no special treatment for royals in active service," Kate told him. "We go where we are sent, but as long as Victor remained on the frontlines at least one of us needed to remain available for the line of succession in case matters went poorly for our brother. At the moment, it isn't clear if Peter will be going to the frontlines after his current visit to Solaris or if he will replace me as viceroy."

    "Yes, I heard that Prince Peter will be attending the championship on Solaris VII this year." Fisher grinned broadly. "Do you have any money either way on the outcome?"

    Jackson snorted. "No one in my office is willing to put any money down on Kai Allard-Liao failing to defend his title. He's one of the sharpest officers to graduate NAIS since Hanse Davion himself, and even the Clans are reputed to be in awe of his skills in the cockpit."

    "I wouldn't take that bet either," agreed Kat. "Although if Peter sneaks in a match with someone then I'll owe Arthur five kroner."

    "Last of the big spenders," Fisher muttered as an aside to the holocamera.

    "Father taught us never to wager anything you weren't willing to lose."

    "That's a good point," the journalist admitted. "I do have to ask though, the other speculation is regarding certain allegations made by Free Skye regarding your brother's time on Lyons."

    "Their attempt to claim that the trailer for FBC's new movie includes footage of Peter's 'mech?" she asked.

    He nodded. "Particularly that the town destroyed in the trailer is Bellerive, a commune that was leveled earlier this year."

    Jackson spoke up scornfully. "Any real mechwarrior watching that trailer knows it was a pyrotechnic display. If a JagerMech's autocannon could devastate such an area with a single salvo, we would have a ready solution to the Clans' firepower."

    The Field Marshal's reaction had to be entirely sincere, Kate thought, since he had no idea of the truth. "This is why I never watch action movies with my family," she sighed. "They always bring in 'realism'. To go back to your question, Paul, I believe FBC have issued a cease and desist order through the courts. While members of Free Skye have made those distasteful claims, they've carefully avoided anything that would open them up to a libel suit. If they do contest FBC then that may change so I suspect they will drop the claim rather than face a costly court case."

    Ryan Steiner had carefully stayed out of the matter. Of course, officially he had no provable ties to Free Skye beyond those he had used to negotiate a 'compromise' settlement in 3036.

    "Bellerive was attacked," the princess admitted. "Given the timing, we believe that it is another Zhanzeng de Guang attack, part of their campaign to destabilize the Terran corridor. Military units in the Isle of Skye have been alerted to support the authorities in case of further terrorism, but Jackson and I don't have any hand in operations there."

    "I gather that you're also heavily involved in raising new March Militias?" the interviewer switched the subject. "The Broken Wheel and Kathil March Militias are both being stood up, is there any truth that the final gap in the roster will be reactivated? Point Barrow is as far from any hostile region as possible, surely."

    "Well, I am a completionist," Kate told him. "One alternative that has been suggested is to divide up the Broken Wheel combat region and create a second March Militia in that region to improve our security in that area. On the other hand, coverage for the interior of the Commonwealth is important - deep raids and other low intensity threats can be an issue. Both ideas have merit, and if production of 'mechs like the Watchman continues to expand we might be able to do both."

    "Yes, I believe the New Avalon CMM has a company of Watchman in their ranks - were any deployed to Tortuga? That would be their combat debut, I believe?"

    "It was," Jackson confirmed. "And it performed to expectations in all respects. Robinson Standard BattleWorks has provided us with a good, reliable standby for the AFFC in years to come."


    Chapter 25

    The Triad, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    7 April 3056

    "Your highness." Baron Grayson Death Carlyle had been stoic when he was elevated to ruler of Glengarry, but now anger leaked past that veneer. "I have heard rumors of Glengarry. Respectfully -"

    Victor cut him off with a raised hand. "I have heard those same rumors. I imagine you and your wife intend to return immediately."

    "Along with the rest of my command lance," the colonel of the Gray Death Legion agreed. "I have no time for court formalities."

    "That makes two of us," the Archon-Prince agreed. "Please, accompany me." He indicated the elevator and the end of the gallery he had called Carlyle and his wife to meet him in. "My staff are prepared to brief us all on the situation and what we will be doing about it. I would hope that the information will be useful for you."

    Lori Kalmar took her husband's hand and he squeezed it slightly. "You are right, your highness."

    "That occasionally happens." A double door opened and revealed Galen Cox standing inside the elevator. "I believe you've met my aide."

    "Of course. Leftenant General Cox," the mercenary greeted him as the couple entered the elevator.

    Galen inclined his head as Victor moved past him to occupy the corner behind him, which left him facing the couple across the elevator. An uneasy silence fell as the doors closed and Victor felt the elevator car begin to descend. "Part of your regiment is on Borghese?" he asked in confirmation.

    "Second Battalion, under Major Khaled." Grayson's eyes were flat. "I was on the way to ComStar to order their recall when your summons arrived." He didn't flinch at admitting that, even though such a departure was in breach of the Legion's responsibility in garrisoning the world.

    Victor nodded. "I'll authorize it," he promised simply. The legalities could be settled later. This was no time for a contract dispute… or for giving orders that would be disobeyed.

    The doors opened and admitted them to the small, private monorail station that linked the Triad to Mount Asgard. The train was waiting of course, a few officers already aboard. They shuffled up to the far end to give Victor and his companions privacy once they had boarded.

    No sooner had they sat down than the doors hissed closed and the car began to accelerate to its top speed. Mount Asgard wasn't far from the palace as the monorail ran, although the steep mountains made surface transit a far more difficult prospect.

    "May I ask what you heard?" the prince enquired courteously.

    It was Kalmar who spoke. "A flotilla arrived at the jump point and fired on one of our jumpships. They escaped and contacted ComStar, paying for a priority message to alert us."

    Victor nodded in understanding. "I suspect that Wilhelm von Bulow, the previous baron, is at the head of that force. He was stripped of his title - and military rank - but we must assume he still has supporters on Glengarry."

    "I would have appreciated some warning of that risk," Carlyle declared.

    Galen cleared his throat. "We were due to meet in two days, Colonel. Our hope was to bring you up to speed and have you back on Glengarry with your Second Battalion before trouble began. It seems that we are too late."

    "It isn't your son in the middle of this," the mercenary snapped.

    "No, Colonel," Victor cut him short. "But we came very close to my brother being caught in the same way on Lyons. If I hadn't coincidentally sent him to Solaris, he would have been in the midst of a similar crisis that is brewing on that world. This extends beyond Glengarry, but your home is one of my top priorities."

    Carlyle closed his eyes for a moment and seemed to draw strength from his wife's hand, still enclosed in his own. "My apologies, but there is a difference between 'very close' and the reality. I sincerely hope you never find one of your family caught up in such a crisis."

    The Archon-Prince inclined his head in agreement and this time no one broke the silence until the monorail slowed and came to rest under Mount Asgard.

    Victor and his party were waved hastily through security to the command center, with only a few of the guards looking sideways at the two mercenaries in their gray uniforms. Nondi Steiner was waiting for them, her face as set as stone. The Commander of the Lyran Commonwealth had not shown the slightest emotion when Victor informed her of his suspicions about her son. From what he knew, she had confided in no one about the matter. Indeed, she had barely left Mount Asgard, throwing herself into preparations for what they were now facing.

    On one level, it was reassuring that his aunt had not elected to follow through with her resignation, for Morgan Hasek-Davion was needed to take direct control over the forces facing the Clans and had left for the forward command center a week previously. On another… Nondi Steiner was not known for passivity. There was something boiling beneath the surface and Victor dreaded to think what would happen when it could no longer be restrained.

    "Marshal, I trust that your ever-efficient staff can tell me what we're looking at," Victor greeted her.

    His aunt said nothing, simply turning to one of her aides and making a chopping gesture with one arm. He touched a control and the main display lit up, showing the Isle of Skye and markers for loyal units… and the reported positions of units that were not.

    "A little over forty-eight hours ago," the officer reported, indicating the capital of the region, "Duchess Margaret Aten made a broadcast announcing her abdication in favor of her second daughter, Sarah. While she wasn't visibly coerced, her escort were members of the Tenth Skye Rangers rather than her usual personal bodyguards. Since she passed over her firstborn daughter Ilsa, we assume that this was effectively a coup."

    Victor grimaced. "Sarah is as effective as a paper towel," he growled. "And she's married to my cousin Richard, I think we know who will be giving orders." He gave Nondi an apologetic look that she didn't pay any attention to.

    "Moving from there, at least four battlemech regiments of what are dubbed the Skye Guards have moved to secure key positions through the Isle of Skye," the aide continued. "In addition to Skye itself, they have been sighted on Lyons, Summer and Glengarry."

    Carlyle stepped forwards: "What composition are we looking at?"

    The aide glanced at Victor who gave him the nod to answer the question.

    "We believe cadres from the Tenth Skye Rangers and the Lyons Skye March Militia have been used to prepare Free Skye volunteers who fill out the ranks. Their manpower is likely a mix of dispossessed veterans, militiamen and trainees from within their movement. Their equipment seems to lean more heavily towards Davion designs than I would have expected… and they have a number of refitted or new 'mechs."

    Galen spoke up for the benefit of the staff. "An estimated two hundred and thirty battlemechs from factories in the Federated Suns State Command are believed to have disappeared from shipments sent through the Terran Corridor over the last thirty months. Investigations hadn't confirmed exactly who was taking them yet, but now we know."

    The junior aide nodded gratefully. "Thank you, sir. A number of conventional regiments in the Skye March were already flagged as undependable due to Free Skye membership within their ranks. Unfortunately, most of those have either flipped or are currently in disarray as rival factions fight for dominance. The Skye Guards can be assumed to have at least equal strength in tanks and infantry to their battlemech numbers."

    The thought of what he could have done with another two or three combined arms brigades went through Victor's head but that wasn't helpful right now. "Where is Ryan Steiner right now?"

    "The Duke of Porrima remains on Solaris as of last report," another officer informed them. "However, his son Robert is married to Aten's youngest daughter Hermione and both have been seen with the new duchess."

    "One foot in each camp," Galen concluded, looking over at Victor.

    "Yes. He will let this boil over and then step in as a peacemaker, trying to undercut me," the Archon-Prince concluded, not caring who heard him. "He hasn't had a new idea since '36. Well, I won't play his game. Have the Solaris VII police notified to detain him for suspicion of involvement in the missing weapons shipments."

    "That might play into his hands," his friend warned.

    "Yes, but it also keeps him from taking any direct hand in resolving this," Victor told him. "The wheels of justice can grind very slowly. Any political credit he gets if I have to release him eventually will be far less than he'd get for 'brilliantly' negotiating an end to this. And perhaps we'll get lucky and he'll be stupid enough to bolt."

    Galen gave up on the issue and turned to give the necessary instructions while Victor stepped closer to the holo display. "Brief me on Glengarry first," he ordered, for the benefit of Carlyle and Kalmar.

    "The Glengarry Militia appear to have been compromised," a kommandant declared, taking control of the display and focusing in on the star system in question. "After Wilhelm von Bulow arrived with six jumpships and the Fourth Skye Guards, Governor Roger DeVries ordered them to detain the leaders of the Gray Death Legion," she reported.

    There was a curse from Carlyle. "I sponsored DeVries myself! His daughter is one of my cadets!"

    Victor's heart went out to the man. He was learning what the Archon-Prince had had to after he took the thone: that betrayal could only come from those you had extended your trust to.

    "The arrests did not go smoothly," the woman continued. "We believe that a number of officers were detained and a rescue attempt was launched by the rest of the Legion. There are unconfirmed reports of fatalities, but as best we can tell the Legion managed to extract the bulk of their forces and are in the field. It's unlikely that they can stop the Skye Guards from landing, but as long as they maintain a force-in-being, Von Bulow won't have complete control of the planet."

    The Archon-Prince turned to Carlyle. "Can your troops hold out?" he asked bluntly. "I can give you more troops than your battalion on Borghese, but it will take time for any relief to arrive."

    The baron closed his eyes in thought for a moment. "DeVillar is a fine leader," he said at last. "And if he… if he didn't make it, McCall would. Either one of them could rally the Legion, and the fact they managed to pull out rather than trying to retake the capital now means that they know they need to play the long game." He nodded. "Yes, they will hold on. Not forever, but they can last long enough."

    Nondi Steiner spoke up suddenly. "Are any of the other Skye Rangers making moves to support the uprising?"

    "There is no movement from the Twenty-Second or Seventeenth," the first officer confirmed. "The Tenth remains divided at this time."

    "The Fourth?"

    The man shook his head. "No reports, which may mean they have turned their coats entirely or that they are simply cut off."

    "Don't be naive," the Marshal chastised him. "The Fourth are Richard's pets. Have the jumpships assigned to support the other Rangers recalled."

    Victor's head turned. "Cancel that," he said quietly. "The Seventeenth are too exposed on Barcelona. If we strip their jumpships they'd be cut off in the event the Jade Falcons take a swing. Even the risk of that could be enough to push them into siding with Richard's forces."

    "And leaving them the means to get to Skye?" his aunt demanded. "For all you know, he already has them under control."

    "The Seventeenth and Twenty-Second Skye Rangers are a long way from home," Victor told her. "By the time they get to Skye, we can have this mopped up. Is there any move on Hesperus II?" The factories there were the largest in the Inner Sphere, and they had never fallen to outside attack. That didn't mean that they couldn't be subverted though, and if Richard had those then Victor would need to be the first to conquer the thus-far invincible defenses.

    To his relief the answer was no.

    "Alright, our priority is to relieve Glengarry and Skye," he decided. "What do we have?"

    "The Third Royal Guards are in motion but it takes so many dropships to move an RCT that we can't rush them via a command circuit," the kommandant who had reported on Glengarry told him. "Stirling's Fusiliers are more mobile and I assume that the Grey Death's Second Battalion is available."

    Victor nodded. "Good. Direct the Fusiliers and the Gray Death to a rallying point near Skye where Baron Caryle and his command lance can rendezvous." He turned to the mercenaries. "Once Glengarry is secure, we can use it as a staging area to clean up smaller insurrections on the worlds around it - that gives us a clear road to Skye."

    "And Skye?" asked Galen, returning from his errand.

    "I'll do what Richard would never expect," the Archon-Prince decided. "There are two RCTs on Hesperus II - one of them can reinforce the loyalists on Skye and try to rescue Margaret Aten."

    "That's the most critical world short of Tharkad," warned Nondi darkly.

    Not to mention New Avalon? Victor thought wryly. "That's why he won't expect it." He looked at the map. "It would be politically untenable to leave the Third Davion Guards as the garrison though, so they'd better go. Order the Fourteenth Lyran Guards to move from Ford to replace them - by the time anyone knows that we've drawn down the Hesperus garrison, they'll be back up to strength and the Royal Guards will arrive."

    "It's audacious," Nondi declared, leaning in over the table. Then she looked up sharply. "What are you waiting for?" she demanded of her officers. "The Archon-Prince has given his orders! Carry them out!"


    Chapter 26

    Castle Davion, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    1 May 3056

    Dear Kathy, she read.

    You may not hear from me for some time.

    I'm not going to lie and say that I'm okay, but I need some time to think and I don't think I would have that on Tharkad or wherever Victor decides to send me next.

    I know that you heard what happened on Lyons. I was a fool and played into our enemy's hands. If we hadn't got lucky, I would have given Free Skye a rallying cry for what they're doing now. We might have faced the current situation months earlier and before Victor was even halfway prepared.

    I'd like to say that I learned my lesson. I'd like to, but that would be a lie. I was angry at Victor for pointing out my mistakes. Angry at him for having the glory I wanted. So angry I never saw how much of a burden he was carrying, or how you and he had to be strong without Mom and Dad there.

    I don't know if you wanted a frontline assignment, a chance to prove yourself like he did. I assumed not, that you were different from me but I've been wrong about so much and maybe I was wrong there too. If so you've shown more grace than I ever did. If not, maybe you're just more sensible.

    Either way, I think I understand why Victor wouldn't send us to fight the Clans like he did. It might have been the same for Mom, I'm not sure… but he's afraid. Not a coward. But losing Dad, and then Mom as well… I saw what he looked like after Lyons and in hindsight he was afraid of losing me too. I don't think he wants any of us at risk, and I can't blame him for that.

    Please, I know my leaving like this will hurt him. But I've sent word and I promise that I will return. He hasn't lost me and I pray he doesn't lose you, Arthur or Yvonne. He's tremendously strong, but I think that might break him somehow.

    I've just read what I've written and I sound like some psych major preaching about public figures. But it's what I think.

    If I'd thought more, maybe I wouldn't need to write this now.

    I didn't learn from Lyons. On Solaris I danced like a puppet, used by those around me for their own goals. I don't feel safe putting it in this letter, what I did was so foolish, could have caused so much trouble that letting anyone else know would be to give our enemies the victory I almost delivered them. Kai knows the truth, I'm sure that he will explain it all to Victor, he can tell you everything as well. I hope that after you know, that you can find it in you to forgive me.

    Maybe when you see me again, I will have forgiven myself.

    It's enough to say that Kai saved us all from my foolishness. He put everything on the line and I thank God he didn't pay the price he might have. I owe him more than I ever can repay. When I see people drinking to his victories on Solaris in future, I'll know that they don't understand a tenth of his worth. Maybe he doesn't either, I think he's wasting his potential there but who am I to lecture him?

    If I've learned anything from these last few days, it's that I've wasted my own life. I was given everything and I've spent my life measuring myself against Victor - competing for everyone's attention, trying to convince them that I was the bigger man, the better prince, the true heir of Hanse Davion.

    Well, I think I'll always be taller, but everything else? No, I was the smallest of us.

    I know he's not perfect, but the fact is that I spent all my time trying to be the second coming of Dad and not trying to be the best Peter Steiner-Davion. I bear the name of a First Prince, but I would have been better modeling myself on another Peter Davion - the younger brother of Paul Davion II - his best marshal, his strong right hand. I could have been that to Victor, I should have been his rock. And maybe, I hope, I've realized that in time that I can still do that.

    Before then, I need to look inside myself and answer some hard questions. Find out who I really am, not settle for defining myself over what I'm not. Right now, I'm of no use to the Federated Commonwealth.

    I know that you'll be tempted to look for me, and I'm not so arrogant as to think I can evade the sort of search you could unleash. But I'm begging you, please give me the time and space to find myself.

    I love you. I'm more proud of you than I can say. I know that wherever they are waiting for us, our parents are as well.

    Your brother,

    Peter.

    The letter blurred in front of Kate's eyes as tears formed.

    What had happened to him on Solaris VII? She knew Ryan Steiner was on the gameworld and she was tempted to blame him, but the fact was that the Steiner-Davions had other enemies than their cousin from Porrima. It could have been any of them.

    The princess keyed her comm console, opening a fresh document. She couldn't leave New Avalon, but she could contact Kai and ask him to send word. Or to have Victor do so via a diplomatic courier - the heir to St Ives wasn't subject to her command, but if he was the only one with the answers then…

    "Damn!" she exclaimed, realizing that diplomatic transit across Skye was unavailable right now. That wouldn't work - any message sent by Victor might fall into the wrong hands.

    A chime alerted her that Alison wanted her attention. "Yes?" she asked via the intercom.

    "Your sister is here, your highness. I believe it's…"

    "Important." She wasn't the only one to get a letter, Kate guessed. "Yes, send her right in."

    The doors swung open under Yvonne's hands and she slammed them shut without looking back. "Kate, I had the damnedest letter from Peter!"

    "I know." She pushed back from the desk. "Or… I guessed. I had one as well."

    "What are you going to do?"

    "I was writing to Kai." She spread her hands. "But he's on the far side of Skye. He can't come here. He can't send a courier securely. And… according to Peter, the truth is too sensitive for HPGs."

    "What do you mean?" Yvonne slammed her hands down on Kate's desk. "Letters, messages… send word to Victor! We can have a thousand people on a hundred worlds looking for him! Peter is alone out there, and he's not in his right mind! We have to find him."

    Kate looked up at her. "And? Then what?"

    "What do you mean?"

    "He asked me for time. For space to deal with what's bothering him." She shook her head. "If I don't give him that, do you think he'll open up to any of us."

    "We're his family!" Yvonne exclaimed.

    The elder of the sisters nodded. "And he knows how to reach out to us. When he's ready… he will."

    "I can't believe you're letting go of him!"

    A sad laugh came out of Kate's lips. "I know how you feel."

    "If you did, you wouldn't leave it like this!" Yvonne stepped back, anger dripping from her voice. "Would you care this little if Arthur was missing… if I was?"

    "No. I would care this much."

    Yvonne swallowed, looked at her. There were tears on her face and Kate felt her own. "What use is it being viceroy? Being a princess?! If this is all we can do?" she cried out.

    Kate went around the desk and held onto her sister. The youngest Steiner-Davion clung to her, as if Kate too might be the next to be swept out of her life.

    Damn it, Victor, you'd better come here this year, the viceroy demanded silently. Your people need you… and so do we.
     
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    • Chapter 27

    Mount Asgard, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    9 May 3056

    "My sister is aware that Skye is revolting, isn't she?" Victor asked rhetorically as he finished watching Kathy's letter.

    "I wouldn't suggest putting it like that in public unless you want to be lampooned," Galen replied from his own desk. "But she would have to work very hard not to have heard about it, so I think it's safe to assume she knows about it. She's far too busy to be actively ignorant."

    The Archon-Prince hit the controls to close and save his sister's letter. "And yet she thinks I will make it to New Avalon for Royal Court this year?"

    Galen sighed and looked up from his work. "That is four months away," he said. "I think it's possible the actual fighting may be done by then."

    "As much as that would please me, I'm not confident of that," Victor said. "Carlyle has turned the tide on Glengarry but the fighting there isn't over yet and once that's done there are the worlds around it that we need to secure."

    Most of the fighting going on was between militias on worlds between the major targets. What would turn the tide were the key strongholds where the Skye Guards and loyalist units were fighting, but that didn't stop the blood being shed elsewhere.

    "On that topic," he continued, "Is there any update on the Aten situation?"

    "Nothing yet," Galen told him. "It's like cooking, Victor. Operations like this take as long as they take - asking every other hour won't make it go faster."

    "I don't know much of anything about cooking," the Archon-Prince admitted. "The closest I ever got to it was preparing self-heating ration packs."

    "You're living evidence that royalty really are different from real people," his friend told him. "Why does Katherine want you to come to New Avalon?"

    "The usual. She worries too much about the stability of the Suns. All my problems so far have been with regions governed from Tharkad, she has everything under control."

    "It's hard to argue with that, but since she is so capable and she also thinks you should visit New Avalon…"

    Victor chuckled. "I will go once things settle down. Kathy's always inclined to err on the side of caution - it's the engineer in her. But we need Aten back in control of Skye first and I can't see that happening before the end of the year. Even if she was deposed via a coup, reinstating the Duchess will be a political wrangle and there will need to be trials." He paused and then sighed. "And I need to find a replacement for Nondi - it would be better to have someone in place before I leave."

    "Do you have a candidate in mind?"

    "No. Do you want the job?" he asked hopefully.

    Galen laughed. "I think there would be questions asked about bumping me from Leftenant General to Field Marshal."

    "I considered David Sandoval, he's been doing a fine job in the Sarna March," the Archon-Prince continued, not surprised at the response. "But even if he's technically part of Lyran State Command, it would still be seen as a 'Davion' officer taking over a 'Steiner' post."

    "Have you considered Roman Steiner?" his aide suggested. "He worked for Jackson Davion on New Avalon so he has experience at that level."

    "I asked him but he wants to retire," Victor replied. "Losing his home on Somerset hit him hard and his daughter being a prisoner of the Jade Falcons hurt as well. Breaking her free and bringing her home didn't heal those wounds."

    "And I take it that promoting Xerxes Davion would have the same issue as Marshal Sandoval," Galen concluded.

    "Exactly. I have some officers in mind to bring up to take over vacancies in Skye and they might be candidates in the future but they're not quite ready yet." The entire command structure of the March would need to be restructured, and while the officers who'd proved loyal could be retained, there needed to be several transfers to make good the losses and rebuild the defenses of the region. As hard as it was to come by 'mechs, experienced and trustworthy officers were even more difficult to find.

    Galen nodded. "Are there any Lyran candidates who are not members of House Steiner?" he asked. "There have to be some competent marshals who don't share your surname."

    "Besides you? If I absolutely had to pick someone today it would be Olaf Dinesen. He doesn't really have the experience, but he's at least of suitable rank."

    His aide frowned. "The commander of the Periphery March?"

    "He's only got a year in the post and it's not the most challenging role but we lost a lot of promising officers facing the Clans. At least he's managed to keep things running smoothly."

    "Much like your sister."

    Victor chuckled. "Yes, that's true. Perhaps he's a better candidate than I thought."

    His friend turned back to his own work but then paused. "I hate to say this, but have you considered what to do if Margaret Aten and her daughter Ilse don't make it? Without her testimony that she was deposed it might be hard to contest Sarah Aten's claim to Skye. You said yourself it's more likely that she's a dupe than a willing participant in her mother's overthrow."

    "Stupidity would not be an excuse for conspiracy on this level," Victor said, his earlier humor lost at the idea. "And I can't just hand the position on to her younger daughter, she and her husband are in this up to their necks. No, if it comes to that I'll have no choice but to attaint House Aten entirely and appoint a new Duke of Skye. God only knows who - an outsider would have an uphill battle. One of the officers who stayed loyal would be best, but that also depends on who survives." He rubbed his face. "I hope I don't have to do that."

    At least, he thought, things can't get much worse.


    Chapter 28

    Fox's Den, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    2 June 3056

    Kate followed Jackson Davion into the conference room and the first thing she heard was: "Were we supposed to bring aides?"

    "No," the head of the State Command said drily and went to the foot of the table.

    Field Marshal Leah Thomas flushed as she belatedly recognised Kate. "I… my apologies, your highness."

    Kate ignored Stephen Davion's barely muted snicker at the expense of the Marshal of the Capellan March. "It's quite alright, Marshal Thomas. I would probably get more sleep if I was Jackson's aide." She went to the head of the table, the contrast between her own uniform - bereft of decorations and with rank pins vastly inferior to those of the high command - a power play in its own right.

    James Sandoval was the fourth Field Marshal in the room and gave her a respectful nod. "We usually drop ranks for these conversations, would you mind?"

    "Not at all, James." She settled into the chair and looked at the heads of the other Marches. "I probably should have been attending these meetings sooner, but I'm afraid I've been learning this as I go along."

    "Your father did," Stephen Davion told her. "Your mother didn't, not even on Tharkad." The last of the Ducrimmon-Davions wasn't a great respecter of rank. He was the most junior besides Kate, having taken over the Crucis March from Ardan Sortek only after Melissa's death.

    "Let's see how it works out," she decided.

    "How are the supply lines to Sarna holding up?" Jackson asked Leah.

    The only woman among the Marshals made a face. "The usual gripes about the parts we don't have sources for on this side of Terra," she admitted. "We're looking for alternative sources but for now it's a matter of working around the problem."

    "I assume most of the supplies being shipped into the Sarna March came from the Suns State command?" Kate enquired. By virtue of being her father's 'wedding gift' to her mother, the March fell under the Lyran State command, but it was on the wrong side of the Terran corridor, and with no less than five other Marches on the Lyran side of the corridor, she suspected that Victor would have changed that eventually.

    "Mostly," agreed Sandoval. "More common parts and consumables have redundant sources but there are a few things we can't source right now. Supply shipments across Skye are too risky when they might fall into the hands of the rebels, so we're running down our stores for some parts. My brother is very proud of his Flashman, for example, but the targeting system is only built by Defiance on Hesperus II."

    "I can see how that would be a problem," Kate observed diplomatically. Her brother's calculated risk of taking the Third Davion Guards off Hesperus II might pay off… but either Richard Steiner had seen through it or he'd decided to roll the dice.

    A fifth column within the Fifteenth Lyran Guards had tried to seize control of the vital factories on Hesperus II, only narrowly being beaten off before an advance force of the Fourteenth Lyran Guards arrived. At first relieved by the arrival of their sister RCT, the loyal Fifteenth been about to welcome them when the other half of the Fourteenth jumped in system warning that the advance force had turned renegade and were in the service of Richard Steiner. Currently the remains of the loyal halves of the two Lyran Guards RCTs were holding out from behind the defenses, but the Fifteenth Battle of Hesperus was still very much in the balance.

    "The problem flows both ways," James continued. "We can supply David, but shipments that were supposed to go to regiments facing the Clans are piling up in supply bases. The Quartermaster base on Addicks is already crammed full and we're having to divert dropships to other bases. An excess of supplies isn't usually a problem…"

    "But it is now?"

    "Full warehouses are always a tempting target," Jackson explained. "Richard Steiner doesn't have the momentum to hold out forever. He may launch attacks on our supply bases to continue his operations, but the more we disperse the stocks the longer it will take to get them to the frontlines once the supply lines are re-established." Unspoken was that defending those warehouses was also a stretch on the limited forces available.

    Kate looked around the table. "I take it that sanction to use some of this temporary glut would be appreciated?"

    Stephen slapped the table. "Marie said you were sharp."

    Victor would understand, but that wasn't the same as appreciating supplies that his own loyal regiments needed being depleted, the young viceroy thought. Some compromise was called for. "Upgrade kits would be an effective way for the traitors to upgrade militia forces they're leaning on," she decided. "I can approve sending those to frontline forces along the Capellan border. The Zhanzeng de Guang attacks keep coming, which means we have to assume Chancellor Liao has an endgame in mind - having the regiments along his border as ready as possible is a priority."

    "That would be appreciated," James said in a relieved voice.

    "Capellan upgrade numbers have been ramping up," agreed Leah. "Being able to match or exceed that would calm a number of my local commanders."

    Kate opened her mouth and then closed it as a thought struck her. "Also, see if we can assemble upgrade kits for aerospace and armor," she suggested. "I know we've been focused on 'mechs because that's given us the bulk of our hitting power against the Clans, but against the Capellans we need to consider the other combat arms."

    "That will certainly free up space in stores," Jackson agreed. "Of course, it's not as easy as slapping a new gun into a turret and it will be worse for aerospace fighters…"

    "If our technicians don't already have ideas in mind of how to make upgrades once they can beg, borrow or steal the parts, then I've been grossly misled by my experience so far," she told him. "I suggest we make it a competition - reach out to techs in field commands for ideas, we can use NAIS as a clearing house. If an idea looks promising, send the parts for the refit to be tried."

    Stephen shook his head slightly. "I know you're a proud NAIS graduate, Katherine, but in this case I would suggest Point Barrow academy. They turn out more of our support staff and they are used to doing more with less."

    Kate wasn't sure about the last part, but the first was objectively true. "I suppose it will also mean less interference by the mechwarrior mafia," she allowed. "Point Barrow it is."

    That got grins from around the room - everyone there was a mechwarrior, but the Field Marshals had also had to learn the value of the other combat arms in their rise through the ranks.

    Leah leant forwards. "I'd like to extend the rationalization you've been doing with the March Militias," she asked. "I know we're supposed to maintain a fairly homogenous mix of equipment across all our units but with the current situation there are some combat machines we're going to struggle to keep going at full capability."

    "You want to swap them for more sustainable options," Kate asked. "I don't see a problem with that for now, but make sure the 'mechs you're pulling from service are moved to stockpiles that can be sent forwards. I don't want to find out they're being hoarded at the expense of rebuilding the loyal Skye units. We can't afford to leave the Skye end of the Terran Corridor vulnerable so the rebel units will have to be replaced rapidly."

    "That's an important point," Jackson affirmed, giving the head of the Capellan March a warning look. Then he turned to James Sandoval. "On that point, James, I want you and your brother to make sure we're sending what we can to loyal elements of the Skye forces holding out on worlds near the Draconis and Sarna Marches. Forces like the Thorin militia have honored their oaths and we need to repay that."


    Chapter 29

    The Triad, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    10 June 3056

    "I was supposed to be woken for news like this," Victor grumbled as he entered his office.

    "And what would you do about it?" Galen asked reasonably, following him. "You've been shorting yourself on sleep since this began. Margaret Aten may not be able to leave Skye right now, but she's in safe hands with the Third Davion Guards and she's confirmed what we believed the entire time. If that doesn't merit a full night's sleep, what does?"

    Victor whirled on him. "And Richard's decided to up the stakes."

    His aide shook his head and went to the side, producing a pair of mugs that had been left waiting for them. "Get yourself around some coffee."

    The Archon-Prince grunted unhappily and accepted the mug that declared 'delegation is not lostech'. He sniffed appreciatively at the contents and then gulped down a mouthful. "He accused me of murdering my mother and Peter," he reminded Galen, once the hot coffee was down his throat. "That's not something that we can just brush off."

    "We brushed it off when it was the lunatic fringe," Galen told him. "Richard is desperate and he's trying to muddy the waters now that he doesn't have his mother-in-law under his control. It's even possible his wife will turn on him."

    "I won't say it's impossible but I'd give better odds on the Clans packing up and leaving the Inner Sphere," shot back Victor. "She has the spine of a wet noodle and Richard still has control of her. More likely she'll back his claim that we're coercing the Duchess."

    "Alright, maybe that is more likely," Galen admitted. "But Margaret Aten's message has reached every world in the Isle of Skye. Baron Carlyle reports that the Free Skye forces on worlds around Glengarry are bleeding support already. We have an open road to Skye now."

    Victor drank more coffee. "You're right. Richard can say what he wants, but once we control Skye we can reopen the supply routes from the other half of the Commonwealth and then he's got no chance."

    "You've decided, then?"

    He set down the mug on his desk. "Yes. The Twenty-Fourth Lyran Guards are only one jump from Glengarry. Send word that they are to make directly for Skye and crush Richard's forces there. And send this as well." He scribbled orders on a pad of paper, then handed the top sheet to Galen.

    The older blond read the document. "Promoting Sabine Steiner to Leftenant General and transferring her to the Tenth Skye Rangers?"

    "The Seventeenth and Twenty-Second Rangers stayed loyal," the Archon-Prince told him. "I have no choice but to strike the Fourth from the rolls once they sided en masse with Richard, but I need to make it clear that the loyal Skye Rangers have my support. Assigning Richard's niece to lead them will send a powerful message."

    He got no argument from Galen, who went back to his desk. "I think you're making the right call, but you should expect pushback for not sending them to relieve Hesperus II."

    "As if the Twenty-Fourth could get there before the Second Donegal Guards." Then he sighed. "But the reality doesn't matter, does it?"

    "Hesperus II is something of a sensitive point," his aide reminded him. "Even the people who can't find it on a map have heard about it and know that losing Hesperus would be a disaster."

    Victor sighed. "Can't win for losing."

    Galen started typing the orders into his console. "No, but you can't quit the game either."

    Shaking his head, the Archon-Prince started working through the other messages on his desk. He'd reached the bottom of his coffee mug when he heard a chuckle from the other desk. "Good news?"

    His aide removed his headset. "Yes, you want to hear this."

    "Oh?"

    "Your sister heard about Richard's accusations." Galen opened up the main holo display. "She had a few things to say about them."

    Victor sat back in his chair and watched as Kathy's head and shoulders appeared on the display, backed by a green curtain embroidered with the fist-and-sunburst in gold. She was dressed simply, in a high collared blouse with a thistle-pin at her breast that he recognised as a legacy from their paternal grandmother.

    "It does not surprise me that Richard Steiner's mind went first to the betrayal of family," she said crisply. "It is a truism that one always suspects others of yielding to the temptations of one's own sins. My mother was beloved from one end of the Federated Commonwealth to the other, it is ridiculous to suggest that her children were less fond of her than the billions who expressed their vocal support throughout her life."

    "Respectfully, your highness, she did stand between Prince Victor and the throne."

    He couldn't see who asked the question, but from the way Kathy's eyes flicked, he suspected that they regretted doing so.

    "My brother could have been First Prince from the day our father passed away," she said scornfully. "If he wanted to be sat on the throne, he could have been. For as long as my mother lived, she did stand between Victor and the throne, in the sense that he was hiding behind her from what comes with the throne: the deskful of duties."

    Victor laughed as the clip ended. "My god, this is the woman who keeps acting like she's inadequate to govern New Avalon for me? She just dismantled Richard."

    "She did," Galen agreed. "Although you might want to consider that if you don't do what she asks you to then she might turn that razor tongue on you."

    "Fair." He left his desk and started the coffee machine. "Do you want another coffee?"

    "Sure." Galen pushed his own empty mug across his desk.

    Victor collected it and went back to the machine, imagining the shock most of the court would show at the idea of the Archon-Prince making coffee for himself, much less for someone else.

    "I will go to New Avalon," he added. "It's just a matter of when things settle down enough that I get the chance. Honestly, it's likely that's one reason Kathy was so savage towards Richard. He's keeping me from being able to go to New Avalon."
     
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    • Chapter 30

    Canaveral City, Galax
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    25 October 3056

    Kate signed the documents in front of her and then handed the pen to a woman she trusted as far as she could have thrown her.

    That wasn't to be too critical of Sharilar Mori's weight - the Primus of ComStar was fine-boned and shorter than any Steiner-Davion including Victor. However, classified records revealed that she had been trained by the Combine's Order of Five Pillars which likely included more intensive martial arts training than Kate had gone through.

    As for the lack of trust, it would have been hard for Kate to find a reason to trust her. It wasn't Mori who had persuaded Melissa Steiner-Davion to sign a contract allowing ComStar to resume management of the Federated Commonwealth's HPG stations after the betrayal of Operation Scorpion. Precentor Martial Anastasius Focht had spoken on the Order's behalf, and the victor of Tukayyid had the prestige to convince many nations to extend their hands.

    Mori? It was not advertised, because destabilizing ComStar would not benefit the Commonwealth, but only a handful of people knew that Sharilar Mori had not aided Focht in overthrowing Myndo Waterly solely because the mad Primus had attempted to use the epic conflict with the Clans as a distraction for her bid to seize control of the entire Inner Sphere.

    No, Mori had been a spy. The most successful ever infiltrator of ComStar, someone whose accomplishments exceeded even those of legendary agents like Justin Xiang Allard. She had joined ComStar, worked her way up to the First Circuit as Precentor Dieron, responsible for every HPG in the entire Draconis Combine… and become Waterly's right-hand woman. All that time she had been Theodore Kurita's agent, compromising some of the Inner Sphere's deepest secrets.

    So as Kate watched Mori sign the contracts, she knew that the woman's soul was owned by House Kurita. She would serve ComStar's interests, but if it ever became a choice between the Order and the Combine…

    For now, the Draconis Combine were allies, but that wouldn't last forever.

    Mori passed the pen to Aleksandr McCorkendale. The CEO of Federated-Boeing signed the contracts and finalized the deal that had taken years of negotiations to secure. It could have been faster. It should, to Kate's mind, have been faster. The Federated Commonwealth's warship program had slowed to a crawl for lack of the technical support being purchased. The construction of the in-system engines had been the biggest stumbling block in completing the planned corvettes and cruisers that occupied docks over Kathil and Galax.

    It could have been done years ago, but ComStar had dragged matters out until the Combine's own warships neared completion. That spoke of where Mori's loyalties lay. She might have blocked it even now if it wasn't for the news that the Free Worlds League was launching their own warships with the help of the Word of Blake.

    Adherents of Myndo Waterly, the Word had taken shelter with House Marik. Captain-General Thomas Marik had once been a Precentor himself, and while he had made no claim to favor their politics, he was no fan of the new and allegedly more secular form of ComStar.

    The Primus extended her hand to Kate and she had no choice but to accept and shake, hopefully with apparent grace.

    The crowd applauded furiously and Kate smiled for the holo cameras. Even uf it was too little and too late then at least it was happening. Within the next few years, the Federated Commonwealth would have vessels able to challenge those of the Clans, in quality if not in quantity.

    The ceremonies over, Kate let Primus Mori take the lead in entering the reception room for the post-signing celebrations, then gave McCorkendale a questioning look. The CEO took the hint and also held back, the two of them taking a side-door to enter one of the siderooms used by the staff coordinating the event.

    No one was inside at the moment and Kate exhaled, releasing some of the tension that had knotted up her insides.

    McCorkendale rubbed his cheeks. "Smiling that much is hard on the face."

    "I would think you get used to it."

    "As I get older, it gets harder and harder. All muscles weaken over time, including those of the face." He avoided her gaze.

    Kate doubted that this was a good sign, but perhaps she was reading too much into it. "How long until we have the Fox-class ready for their maiden voyages?"

    "The original tranche will be ready by the end of the year," he promised. "Two of the next are far enough advanced that we can complete them early next year. The last of those will take months longer, it is slated for the first engines built entirely by the Federated Commonwealth. With ComStar's help, we should be done late in 3058 - the first quarter of 3059, at worst."

    That was what she had expected. "And after that, one or two ships every year?"

    "Correct, your highness. And of course, our partners at Port Sydney will have their own yards producing more vessels by that time."

    "That will help," Kate allowed. "As will the cruisers being built at Kathil. But it is not enough."

    Clan Jade Falcon was reported to have as many as twenty warships, most far larger than the Fox-class. While the Avalon-class cruisers would be more comparable, they could not be everywhere at once. The corvettes were intended for manufacture en masse.

    Now, the corporate official met her eyes. "I am sorry, your highness. Even with House Davion's votes, we do not have the support for the deal you want."

    "You are sharing the design with Alarion," she reminded him, knowing it was futile.

    "Ioto Galactic were our partners in developing the Fox," McCorkendale said. "They have an equal right to the design, just as they paid their share of development at Port Sydney. But we must recoup our investment, and the board of directors believe that if we allow another company to build corvettes to our design they will be able to offer them for sale at a lower cost. Your government is a good customer, but we cannot expect continued sales if another yard offers the ships for less. At least for now, that is not a risk we are willing to take."

    Kate folded her hands behind her back. "How many ships will we have by 3067?"

    "At least twenty corvettes," he promised. "And while I cannot speak for Nyman Rebeulet, I believe Kathil expect to give you seven cruisers in that time."

    "Less than thirty warships."

    "It is more than any Clan's fleet, I believe."

    "We are facing more than one Clan," she reminded him. Not to mention that if Victor called every warship to face the Jade Falcons, Steel Vipers and Wolves then there would be none to defend against the Capellans and League.

    McCorkendale spread his hands helplessly. "I am conscious of this. Perhaps in a few years, once we have additional sales and other warship designs are being built… I do not say we would never be willing to license the class to another yard. Just be patient."

    "Does that come more easily with age?" Kate asked.

    "It does, although it can be hard to tell the difference between that and being too tired," he confessed. "I believe we must go and mingle now or our absence must be noted. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

    Kate nodded. "Yes." She had not wanted to play this card, but if it was the only way. "Approach the board again, give them a new offer."

    He raised his eyebrows and waited.

    "Challenge Systems," she offered. "Federated-Boeing bought up them years ago and they have one of the best yards along the periphery for jumpships. If the board will not license the Fox-class, what would they need to begin building more of them using the Challenge yard?"

    "That… that I would have to consider. It might pull resources away from jumpship construction which is also a strategic priority," he reminded her.

    "It is, but we cannot have everything. And unescorted jumpships are simply prey if the Clans use their warships offensively." In time, there would be enough capacity for the warships and the jumpships. But time was one thing that could not be bought, no matter how many kroner were in the budget.

    The long term would have to be looked at if the Federated Commonwealth survived. If it didn't… well, she doubted the Clans would even honor the kroner as a currency!


    Chapter 31

    The Triad, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    14 December 3056

    Victor Steiner-Davion had sat on the Archon's throne many times over the last year and a half. Today was the first time he felt proud to do so.

    The Griffins either side of him were piloted by the usual handpicked members of the First Royal Guards, but in honor of the occasion, they had been repainted. The one on his right wore the colors of the Lyran Guards, bearing the emblems of both the Fourteenth and Fifteenth RCTs. Its partner wore the colors of the Skye Rangers, a silent message to loyal members of that brigade, with the badge of the Tenth Rangers featured prominently.

    The holo camera's red LED lit up, letting him know that it was live. If that hadn't been clear enough, the thumbs up from the palace's media director would have been enough for Victor.

    "Citizens of the Federated Commonwealth," he began quietly. "I am here today to speak of many things. Most importantly, after more than six months, I can inform you that the Second Skye Revolt is drawing to a conclusion. It is not over, as much as I might wish for that. Many of their leaders have not been captured, often deserting their followers with the same lack of loyalty that they have shown to the Federated Commonwealth. Many outposts and strongholds have not yet been brought to surrender. This is not the end, but is the beginning of that end."

    "I tell you now, that just as the Fourth Skye Guards were defeated upon Glengarry, we have now defeated the other regiments raised by the renegade Richard Steiner in the cause of the Free Skye. The Third Skye Guards have surrendered upon Lyons. The Second Skye Guards were shattered upon Summer. The Fifth were ground to dust between the Lyran Guards defending Hesperus II, and the Donegal Guards that formed our relief force. And on Skye, we have received the surrender of the First Skye Guards and Fourth Skye Rangers - the surrender of their 'mechs and of the usurping Sarah Aten."

    Victor rose smoothly to his feet. "Sarah Aten was a figurehead," he declared grimly. "Although she will be facing charges for her complicity in treason. But she was not the mastermind behind this uprising, she was not the true leader of the conspiracy that sought to undermine the Federated Commonwealth by inciting Free Skye into moving from legitimate political discourse - something that they have every right to, no matter how much I or anyone else may disagree with them - into terrorism and treason."

    "That conspiracy, those ambitious few…" The Archon-Prince shook his head. "I doubt that the idea of a truly independent Isle of Skye was ever their goal. No, they wanted a negotiated peace, one that would elevate them to positions in power within the Commonwealth. To them, everyone who has died was a more than acceptable price if it discredited my government and gave them the chance to seize power, dissolving the Federated Commonwealth and claiming this throne that lies behind me." He swept his hand back to point. "This throne. This lump of stone."

    "That is what so many have died for, so many more left injured - bearing scars that will never leave them. Those who fought, and those who were simply caught in the battlefields and unable to escape. Not for the freedom of Skye, if that is even possible when those rich worlds would find themselves ill-protected and surrounded by the forces of the other Great Houses. No, for the sake of the ambitions of a faction within House Steiner who desired simply to secure this throne for themselves."

    He stepped forwards once more. "I have been accused of plotting the death of my own mother, by men who did not hesitate to tear the Isle of Skye apart and shed the blood of hundreds of thousands so they can seat themselves in positions of power. I ask you, whose actions do you find the more suspect? The soldier who spent his days seeking nothing more than to protect my people from the Clans? Or those who spent that time conspiring to take this throne? Whom do you trust? Those who desire the privilege of that throne? Or those who took on the responsibilities that came to it?"

    Victor paused, letting breath flow out of him, taking some of that anger with him.

    "We are hunting for my treacherous cousins. We will find them, and they will face a fair and honest trial. That is my duty, to all of you. I find it unlikely that they will be found innocent of treason, but previous rulers who have sat here have - for the most part - felt it best to allow the Judiciary to do its work without the interference of an Archon, and I find that to be a principle best maintained by an Archon-Prince."

    Then he clenched his fist. "And based on evidence gathered from captured documents, and from the investigation that has been going on for more than a year, they will be tried similarly for high treason." In case the distinction was unclear, he clarified: "That is to say, for conspiracy to murder Archon Melissa Steiner."

    Slowly, he returned to the throne and seated himself, sweeping his uniform cape to sit neatly beneath himself. "I hope soon to meet with the men and women who have done so much to bring this conflict to an end. Much remains to be done, but I am free to honor those who have fought and bled for the people of the Federated Commonwealth without waiting for the courts. That will be a happier day than the inevitable day when we hear the verdict of those trials."

    "For there will be no pardons. No deals struck. There will be full and fair weight of the law, with neither fear nor favor." His voice lowered ominously. "As my mother, may God rest her soul, would have wanted."

    The light blinked out and Victor remained still upon the throne, watching as the camera crew checked their equipment. It was possible that they might ask him to repeat some or all of the speech. He hoped not - it had taken much out of him. But this too was part of the duty of his office. He felt more as if he was acting the role at times than being the real Archon-Prince.

    As the crew checked their recordings, he let his mind drift to other matters. The trade and supply routes through Skye were restored, with enough worlds secure so that shipments of military gear could be sent through. It would be enough materials to bring the Third Davion Guards and Tenth Skye Rangers back to strength. Manpower would be harder since the majority of the senior year at Sanglamore - Skye's premier military academy - had been swept up to join the revolt. At least some of their underclassmen had no doubt also been swayed.

    Condemning Richard, Robert and their senior officers would be easy, but some other solution would have to be found for the bulk of the followers. On a case by case basis, some might be reintegrated back into combat units, although they would likely not be allowed to serve in Skye again, nor to assemble in a single unit.

    As a complication to keeping Skye secure, while the Draconis Combine was far too focused on the Clans to interfere, the Free Worlds League was under no such pressure. A number of worlds taken from them in the Fourth Succession War were part of the Skye March and weakness must be tempting.

    The problem was Thomas Marik's son, Joshua. Since 3051, the boy had been a patient on New Avalon, being treated for his leukemia. A hostage against his father, although the medical care was something that could not have been offered anywhere else.

    Unfortunately, despite all the hopes, the College of Medical Science was reaching the end of their resources. There was no magic bullet to cure the cancer killing the young Marik. After months of remission, his condition was declining once more and predictions were that he might have less than a year left. Without that restraint, there was a real chance that Thomas Marik would move to reclaim those lost worlds. And without Joshua as heir, that meant the most likely candidate to succeed him was Thomas' daughter Isis, who was engaged to Chancellor Liao.

    I don't want the boy to die, Victor told himself. None of this is my fault. It's just dreadful timing.

    A year from now and it likely wouldn't matter. He could warn the Captain-General of the inevitable, invite him to New Avalon - for that matter, be there himself to please Kathy. Let the father say goodbye to his son and perhaps forge a closer understanding with the ruler of the Free Worlds League.

    Given the chance, the rest of House Marik would insist on finding some heir other than Isis. None of them wanted Capellan influence on their leader. It was just a matter of timing.

    "That was fine," the media director declared. "Excellent, in fact, your highness."

    "I couldn't have done it without your help," VIctor told him. He got up from the throne. "Please carry on as discussed. I will have to go back to my other duties."

    As he left the throne room, throwing a wave up to the two mechwarriors overlooking the event, Victor realized he'd made his decision. His father had planned for this possibility, and his mother had maintained the preparations. Joshua Marik would be kept alive as long as possible, but his father could not know.

    A carefully groomed replacement would take the Marik princeling's place at NAIS and wait out the months from now until it was safe to tell Thomas Marik that his son was dying. It had to be done. A small lie, to avert a greater loss.

    "It has to be done," he whispered.


    Chapter 32

    Castle Davion, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    5 March 3057

    Yvonne was waiting in the lounge of Kate's apartment when the elder sister arrived, sprawled across the couch with one head resting on a cushion. She had a bowl of popcorn on the table in front of her and was holding a text book open in front of her face.

    "Hi." Kate unzipped her uniform jacket and hung it on the hooks behind the door, where someone would collect it for laundry purposes later. "Are you studying?"

    "Kind of sorta?" The younger sister reached out and grabbed a handful of popcorn. "There's something I don't get about this."

    "Ah." The blonde looked over and read the title of the book. "No, I don't even know what language that is. Can't help you."

    "Italian." Yvonne shoved the popped corns into her mouth and started munching. With her second hand now free, she reached for a bookmark and slammed the book closed on it.

    Kate removed her boots one at a time and dropped them on the rack before joining Yvonne on the couch, lifting her sister's legs so she could sit down and then dropping them back across her lap. "Did you watch Victor's message yet?"

    "Would I sneak that past my beloved sister when we promised to watch it together?"

    Kate cupped her chin and reached over for some of the popcorn. "When did you get another sister and when do I meet her?"

    "Ha." Her sister dropped her book on the table and then tugged the popcorn bowl back and out of Kate's easy reach. "The sister who could send me to Tharkad for spring break if Victor doesn't tell us something about what happened to Peter."

    "Oh…" She started undoing her hair from its clasp. "If you thought you could get away with it, yes."

    Yvonne raised one leg and dropped it down sharply. "Not yet, but I'm beginning to think that I should have. Do you want me to start it?"

    "Go ahead."

    Reaching back under the cushion beneath her head, Yvonne pulled out a handset and lit up the trivee display across the room. Scrolling down the menu she went to the chronologically last message, which did show up as unread (for whatever weight that had, since marking messages as unread was trivally easy).

    Victor's face popped up, backdropped by the familiar view out of the window of his office, the mountains around the Triad.

    "He still hasn't redecorated," Kate noted.

    "I doubt it would ever occur to him," her sister observed, taking more popcorn.

    "Yvonne, Kathy," their brother greeted them. "Thank you for your letters. I hope you don't mind me sending you a joint message for once. There are some things I need to tell both of you."

    "Where's Peter, you jerk?" Yvonne muttered and shoveled the popcorn into her mouth.

    Kate started to tickle the bottom of her sister's foot and Yvonne pulled her foot back and then kicked her lightly. "Don't do that," she complained.

    "Don't call Victor a jerk, then."

    "It's about Mother," Victor continued and Yvonne twisted over to face the screen fully. Kate's arms went slack, resting on top of her sister's leg as she too gave the message her full attention.

    "The investigation has had more success than I could tell you until now," the Archon-Prince told them. "We caught the assassin over a year ago. I'm sorry I didn't let you know, we needed to keep it a secret until I could find the paymaster behind him. That was… that was the hard part."

    "What…" Yvonne whispered. "Why…"

    Their brother looked away for a moment. "I know I should have told you before, but it was clear early on that we were looking for someone with, at the least, connections at the highest levels. If they were alerted to how close we were to finding them, it is possible they would have been able to clean up the connections that we were trying to trace." Then he raised his hand. "And remember, if I told the two of you, I couldn't justify also not informing Arthur and Peter. One of whose calm judgment I had reservations about."

    Kate's sister clenched her knuckles. "I hate it when he's right."

    "Mmm."

    "Obviously, I can't tell Peter that now. I don't even know where he is, although I'm assured he reached his intended destination safely." Victor shook his head. "But I can tell you now. We have Richard Steiner, Robert Steiner and their wives in custody. It took one visit from his mother before Richard tried to turn state's evidence."

    "Richard was behind it?" Kate exclaimed. She knew he was a traitor, but to rebel on that level?

    As if aware of the reaction, their brother shook his head slightly. "He was involved but only after the fact, or so he claims. To be fair, the evidence does tend to support the fact that he learned of the plot only after it was too late for him to back out. I cannot feel sorry for him, since he had certainly moved into treason before he discovered his partner's full actions."

    Then, with icy cold eyes, Victor told them: "Ryan Steiner hired the assassin."

    Yvonne seized up the popcorn bowl and Kate had to wrestle it away from her before she threw it at the trivee. Successful, she tossed it onto one of the armchairs, not caring that the remaining popcorn was scattered across the room.

    "...almost admire him," their brother's recorded voice continued and the blonde blinked.

    "What did I miss?" Yvonne asked from under her sister. The redhead wriggled free.

    Pausing and rewinding, they restarted from the revelation.

    "...hired the assassin," the message repeated. "He almost got away with it. Until Richard gave up enough information for us to crack Free Skye's records and from there get into Ryan's dirty files, I was almost at the point of having to release him custody. Nine months of detention and questioning, and he didn't crack once. If he wasn't such a murdering bastard, I could almost admire him." His lips twisted. "Almost."

    "He's still maintaining innocence and seems convinced that I'll have to let him go. Perhaps he has reason to believe he'll skate off but he's wrong. The courts are putting together the case and I'm rather looking forward to the day we present his legal team with the evidence so they can try to put together a defense."

    "The plan was 3036 but on a larger scale - a major revolt in Skye, with what they hoped would be major defeats on Skye, Glengarry and Hesperus II. Ryan would step in as peacemaker, broker a peace deal and then push for a vote of no confidence against me and against the Federated Commonwealth treaty. If I refused to go and used Davion troops, from his point, I would have handed him a civil war he seems to think he would win." Victor shook his head tiredly. "What he imagines the Clans would have done in that case, I have no idea."

    He ran his hand through his hair. "In his ideal world, I would retreat to New Avalon and accept the division of the Commonwealth, maybe taking the Sarna March but otherwise leaving him as Archon, Robert as his heir and Richard would be rewarded with Skye and replacing his mother as the new General of Armies."

    "Could that have worked?" Yvonne asked incredulously, pausing the message.

    Kate had been wondering the same thing. "It's not completely impossible," she conceded dubiously. "I can't see him getting the unanimous vote against Victor the way Grandmother managed when she was dethroning Alessandro, fifty years ago. But a majority would have been damaging enough and if we'd lost Hesperus II to Skye then it would have carried a huge amount of weight. I'm not sure how it would have gone… but I can't see Victor simply surrendering the throne. Make compromises… I don't know."

    Her sister shuddered. "Please tell me we don't have to deal with that sort of plot here?"

    "I very much doubt there were multiple conspiracies to murder our mom," Kate said and put her arm around Yvonne. "Do you want to watch the rest now?"

    Wordlessly, the redhead thumbed the control.

    "There's not much to say yet. The trials will take a while to work through, I have to dot the I's and cross the T's to depose well-established members of House Steiner, even with this level of evidence. And I need to see this through, so I'm sorry, Kathy, it will be a bit longer before I can come to New Avalon."

    "You jerk!"

    "Kate! You hypocrite!"

    "Big sister's privilege," Kate claimed, right before she got nailed in the face with a cushion.
     
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    • Chapter 33

    The Triad, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    16 May 3057

    Victor rarely used the Archon's personal chapel. But today he found it convenient.

    Joshua Marik was dead. Despite the dedicated efforts of the medical team working at the secure ward in one of NAIS' many hidden corners, the boy had slipped away two days before and the news had just reached the Archon-Prince.

    The youth's family could not mourn him, since Victor had denied them the knowledge of his fate. It seemed that the least he could do was light a candle and pray for a child taken too soon.

    I'm sorry. He cast the weak words into the ether, as if Joshua could hear him now. I will tell them when I can. This too is a sacrifice of royalty, for the sake of sparing other children from war. I just need a little time. Six months, less if I can.

    The letters were ready already. A series of messages to be sent over the course of two weeks, warning Kathy, Thomas and (on paper) Victor that the Captain-General's son was fading fast. The doctors who'd prepared them for Victor were among those who had cared for Joshua in his final days and their emotions bled through when the Steiner-Davion read them. In the end, not much had been changed besides leaving the dates blank.

    It would be all but impossible for Thomas Marik to make it from Atreus to New Avalon in time if he tried, and the exact schedule of the decline could be nudged if necessary. The imposter might have been able to deceive the real boy's father, but why take the chance? The stasis tube used for Melissa Steiner-Davion's funeral had been repurposed and the real Joshua's body would be ready.

    Had his father ever felt like this? Victor wished he could ask him.

    "Your highness," an aide - not Galen, who was covering for Victor's absence from the Archon's office, managing the usual influx of reports - said politely. "You have a visitor."

    He sighed and then pushed himself to his feet. The Archon-Prince's work was never done. "Who is it?"

    "Duchess Aten, your highness."

    Victor sat down on the single pew and turned his head towards the side door. "Send her in." He could talk to her here, but after that he would need to get back to Galen.

    Margaret Aten was almost two decades older than his mother would have been, but looking at the gray touching her hair reminded Victor that he was measuring her against someone who would never age any further. Melissa Steiner-Davion would always remain in her prime in his memory, but one day her children would be older than she had been.

    "Your grace," he said, "Please join me."

    She went to the altar first and genuflected before sitting on the pew next to him, just out of arm's reach. "I haven't been here in a long time."

    "Visiting my mother?"

    "Your grandmother." The duchess leant back against the wooden back of the pew and looked over at the altar again. "I was about your age at the time." She shook her head. "I spoke to Sarah. I gather you did as well."

    "It wasn't an easy conversation," he admitted, "I doubt yours was easier."

    "She asked you to spare Richard? How much of a fool did I raise?" Aten asked rhetorically.

    "To a degree I can respect that. She asked nothing for herself."

    "She truly loves that bastard. More than she does her own family!"

    Victor sighed. "I promised our people that there would be no deals. No pardons due to rank or family connections."

    "That was the right thing to do," Aten agreed. "I also spoke to Hermione."

    Victor said nothing.

    "My daughters are blind to their husband's faults. That is my failure as a parent. What can they expect?"

    He doubted that the youngest Aten was as innocent as their mother wished to believe. "The evidence strongly suggests that Sarah was a dupe. Unless there are any surprises, she will be stripped of her title and any succession rights. She was hardly the only person fooled by my cousins and while it cannot be without consequence… most of them will get a second chance."

    "And Hermione?" The mother was speaking, not the duchess.

    "That's less clear."

    "She never took up arms against you."

    Victor felt his eyes narrow and took a moment to avoid snapping before answering Aten. "She incited others to do so. Their blood, and that they spilled, is on her hands."

    "I trust then, that you will not object to my seeing that my daughters have the best legal defenses money can buy?"

    "Not at all. Every family has the right to defend their own." He would not object, because that would be politically problematic. But would Margaret Aten extend that fierce loyalty to the militias and volunteers who had fought for those who usurped her place on Skye? Victor doubted it. The three Steiners on trial would also have excellent legal teams, although it would be their personal fortunes that financed them. He had cut them off from the Steiner trust, both as beneficiaries and - in the case of Ryan - as a trustee.

    Treason opened the death penalty as an option for the courts. High treason demanded it. And he doubted that anyone except Sarah Steiner believed he would exercise his rights as Archon-Prince to issue pardons or to mitigate the sentences given by the courts.

    They should be glad he had no legal right to summarily sentence them. Victor himself had no idea what he would do if that was an option. The temptation would be powerful, he was sure.

    "We will need to schedule your formal reinstatement," he said. "Legally speaking, it will wait until after Sarah's trial. I hope you understand that she is entirely unacceptable to me as duchess of Skye, even if the verdict allows her to retain some secondary titles."

    Aten's eyes misted over slightly. "I understand that… but I do not plan to resume office as Duchess. I have failed there, at least as much as I have as a mother."

    "That's hardly necessary," Victor objected. She had been the victim of the coup, not its instigator. There was no need for Aten to do this. Was she trying to bargain with him?

    She shook her head. "No, I believe that it is. My abdication was coerced, yes, but I would be returning with the baggage of failure. It is better for there to be a clean slate. My daughter Ilse is not tarred by failure or treason. And perhaps it is best for power to pass to your generation now."

    "And what would you do then?"

    "I would hardly be going into poverty," Aten said. "Charity work, perhaps. I never had the time to do as much as I wanted for the poor of Skye, and their needs will be greater now than ever in the aftermath of the Revolt."

    "I personally think you have done more, and would be able to do more, by directing the government of the March," Victor told her reluctantly. "But the choice is yours."


    Chapter 34

    Castle Davion, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    26 May 3057

    "I think the question on everyone's mind," J. Hammond Davion declared to the Privy Council. "is whether we can expect the Archon-Prince to attend Royal Court this year."

    "We will need to prepare if he is," Horatio DuVall added. "The coronation can't be thrown together on a moment's notice."

    All eyes were on Kate and she had to shake her head. "I have expressed it would be advisable, but unfortunately it seems that the earliest Victor expects to be able to make the trip will be Christmas this year."

    DuVall's eyes narrowed. "And is that definite? Surely the military situation in Skye is under control now?" He glanced over at Jackson Davion for confirmation.

    "For the most part, yes," the Field Marshal confirmed. "However, I do not believe the military situation is the reason that Victor isn't coming here just yet."

    "My brother does not feel it would be wise to leave Tharkad until the treason trials are concluded and the sentences carried out."

    Hammond tilted his head curiously. "Did he give any more specific reasons? Victor said himself that he was leaving the matter in the hands of the courts."

    Kym Hasek-Davion leant forwards. "We are discussing the men who had his mother killed," she said sharply. "If they had killed your mother, what would you do? I would like to be there myself, Melissa was -" She broke off, looking at Kate guiltily.

    The princess shook her head. "I will settle for watching the executions on trivee," she said. "I am sure that sentiment is part of it, but he also wishes to be on hand in case the defendants call him to testify. They are trying every trick in the book, dragging the trials out. If Victor's called while he's here, that would buy them weeks."

    "Lyran treachery," someone hissed from further down the table. Kate's head whipped around but she didn't see who it was.

    "The Federated Suns has had traitors of their own," Hammond said warningly. "We are fortunate that it has not done so on this scale in recent generations."

    Kate saw that Kym was biting back a response and couldn't blame her. But most at the table did not know that the previous Duke of New Syrtis, Kym's father-in-law, had been conspiring with the current Capellan Chancellor's grandfather right up until his death at the height of the Fourth Succession War.

    "Our own courts might not be any faster," the Count of Roussa Tel pointed out.

    He should know - almost every ministry represented on the privy council had a hand in law enforcement. Reforming that into something comparable to the Lyran judiciary was a struggle that had been put off time and again, due to more pressing issues.

    "Should we plan for a Christmas coronation then?" DuVall asked hopefully. "It would be a rallying cry and many of the High Council would remain available for it if we can commit to that."

    "Nothing is definite," Kate admitted. "I hope that by the time the Royal Court convenes that we will know for sure."

    Hammond interlaced his fingers and stretched his arms out. "Will you be able to attend that?"

    "The plan is for me to return by then." The princess had arranged a goodwill tour of worlds between New Avalon and the Terran corridor. Her staying on New Avalon wasn't very much better than Victor's continued absence - the Steiner-Davions had to be seen by more than their own courtiers to be effective rulers. In addition to public appearances, she would be applying what pressure she could to settle various minor disputes.

    "I wish you weren't going so close to the Sarna March," muttered DuVall. "You'd be an extremely valuable target for the Capellan terrorists… dead or, worse, captured…" The speaker of the High Council shook his head.

    "A battalion of the First Davion Royal Guards will accompany her wherever she goes," Jackson Davion assured DuVall. "And I'm detaching the Fifth FedCom Battle Armor battalion as well for additional coverage. That will be more than enough to deal with anything the Zhanzeng de Guang have displayed. We're also avoiding anywhere they are known to have struck at."

    "I'm more worried about where they will strike in the future."

    Hammond shook his head at the words. "I think we are all concerned for the security. Have there been any strides so far in dealing with those criminals?"

    "Not so far." Jackson steepled his fingers. "David Sandoval has decided on a new approach, which I expect the Archon-Prince will accept."

    "What is this?" the Duke of Argyle asked curiously.

    The graying Field Marshall smiled thinly. "A number of Free Skye insurgents are currently detained pending sentencing," he told them. "The Field Marshal of Sarna suggests that we use fire to fight fire: offer them the chance to pay their debt to the Federated Commonwealth by being formed into anti-insurgency units and sent to serve under the supervision of his own forces."

    That got frowns from most of the council. "Is that really wise?" Kym asked cautiously. "Can they be trusted?"

    "I think it's quite unlikely they will find common cause with House Liao," Jackson pointed out. "It will also give them a look at the work we're doing to rehabilitate worlds that were ruled by the Confederation. I won't say they will all be converts to the Commonwealth's cause, but they may think twice about how fortunate they have been under the rule of House Steiner."

    "I had my own doubts as to how they will interact with the civilians," added Kate. "But I was reminded that Skye accents and customs will be associated by the majority of Sarna's worlds with the Northwind Highlanders, who remain highly thought of in the area. And they should understand the tactics being used against us. It is a better use for them than imprisonment."

    "'Ten years' military service' has been used to straighten out young men and women before," agreed Hammond reasonably. "It's got plenty of precedent, and if the current approach to the… unpronounceable Capellan band… is not working, then trying something new has merit."

    "Moving back to the original matter," DuVall observed, tapping the table with his pen. "Princess Yvonne will be covering for public appearances over the summer while the viceroy is away. And can we hope to announce this fall whether or not the Archon-Prince will be spending Christmas here?"

    "It would be excellent news if he did," Kym admitted. "Lady Marie has suggested she may make it as well, so it would be something of a family gathering if your brothers could make it."

    No chance of Arthur, Kate thought. He would be halfway through his final year at the Melissa Steiner Memorial Academy on Bolan. But Victor at last… and perhaps if she was very lucky, Father Christmas would bring Peter back to them as well.

    She was distracted from happy thoughts of shaking answers out of Victor by a question from Ways and Means.

    "I see a supplementary budget request has been put forward by the AFFC to subsidize certain manufacturers," the Minister observed. "I understand that supporting the military is one of our highest priorities, but are we sure this can't wait until the next financial year?"

    "If we want to secure the Combat Vehicle Upgrade Programme then unfortunately, yes," Jackson Davion spread his hands. "I was able to push back the Aerospace Upgrade Programme kits to next year as they need more work, but you know the sort of lead time there is on this sort of thing."

    "The money has to come from somewhere," Hammond pointed out. "I really don't think we want to be bringing up any potential tax increases…"

    Kate leant forwards. "Would it be possible to look at government-backed loans?" she suggested.

    She had suspected this was an issue which was why she'd kept financing discussions very general until Ways and Means had responded. If the firms weren't expecting subsidies, they wouldn't be disappointed… and the Minister would be more accepting of loans if they were a compromise than if she had asked for that in the first place.


    Chapter 35

    The Triad, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    23 June 3057

    "Is this confirmed?" Victor asked urgently.

    Precentor Klaus Hettig dipped his head. "Unfortunately, yes."

    "If you don't mind my asking?" Galen enquired, glancing at the plain-text message that Hettig had brought all the way to Victor's desk. "How has it been confirmed?"

    "Khan Ward is of course a member of both Clan Wolf's own Council and the Grand Council of all the Clans," Hettig answered, not bothering to pretend that he hadn't read the message. "I know that a very similar missive is on its way from Khan Natasha Kerensky to Outreach. While we are not party to the Clans' own HPG traffic, we do have sufficient information to be sure that a Grand Kurultai has been called and that the Clans generally considered Crusader are increasing their military readiness. Added to Clan Wolf's recent agitation, I find the described circumstances highly plausible."

    Victor held the letter out for his friend to examine. "So the Truce is about to collapse?" Six months ago that would have been a catastrophe. Today it was just very bad.

    "Not immediately," Hettig admitted. "But there is a real possibility that we will see the victory of Tukayyid overturned by the end of the years."

    There was none of ComStar's usual neutrality on his face - the Precentor was one of those who had fought the Clans there in 3052, winning an agreement that the Clans would cease their invasion for fifteen years. Not much more than a third of that time had passed; it must have felt as if all their sacrifices were for nothing.

    "It's possible that the ilKhan will win the vote," Galen said slowly. "But Phelan didn't seem to think it was likely."

    "More to the point, ilKhan Kerensky doesn't seem to expect to win the vote," Victor observed. "How many people saw this?"

    "A few of our Order saw it en route," replied Hettig stoically. "While we will not be sharing exact copies, my counterparts in the Draconis Combine and the Free Rasalhague Republic will be alerting their governments to the general situation."

    Galen folded the letter and handed it back. "If he loses the vote, then it goes to a Trial of Refusal. Do you have any idea who he will need to fight?"

    "That will depend upon the exact numbers who vote in favor of the charges," the Precentor told them. "After bidding, of course."

    "In the worst case, it could be sixteen to one then," concluded Victor. "He wouldn't stand a chance."

    Hetting nodded slightly. "That is unlikely, however. Ulric Kerensky faced similar odds when he tried to oppose the Clan's vote to invade. At that time, bargaining reduced the numerical odds of the Trial to three to one. According to Clan Wolf's own warriors, they came very close to victory in that battle. It would be a mistake to underestimate Ulric Kerensky."

    "Given that he's been charged with genocide, I think we can assume he would hold nothing back." It was hard for Victor to imagine the mind-view of such a claim, but given the Clans' genetic programme, it did make a certain amount of sense. Fifteen years of the Clans being held back meant that their warriors couldn't make their name and win places in the breeding programme.

    Of course, it was utter hypocrisy as the Clans had managed perfectly well to carry out trials against each other for centuries. But that wasn't the point. The invading Clans had grown drunk on easy victories against the Inner Sphere during their previous invasion and the warriors who had come up the ranks since were eager for the same.

    They wouldn't find it so easy this time, Victor swore.

    "If Kerensky wins," he reminded them, "Then the status quo continues and we lose nothing. But if he loses… would their Grand Council return to Strana Mechty to elect a new ilKhan, as they did after the death of their previous ilKhan?"

    Galen nodded. "That would give us most of a year to continue preparations… but they would realize that."

    "Indeed." Hettig folded his arms behind his back. "For that reason, our analysts believe it is unlikely. We have considered previously the circumstances of ilKhan Kerensky being deposed or simply dying - accidents happen, after all. On balance, we believe that between impatience to resume the fighting and awareness of how much the Year of Peace benefited the Inner Sphere, that an ilKhan will be elected within days if Ulric Kerensky is defeated."

    "And we have no idea what they will do," Victor said. "Terra will still be a priority, but they have to assume that we will counterattack their flanks…"

    "We assume that Tukayyid will be a target," the ComGuard declared. "While we maintain a garrison there, it is far from the forces deployed in 3052. At best, it will cost them time and resources. It is also possible that Clan Smoke Jaguar and Clan Nova Cat will try to avenge their previous defeat at Luthien, although I personally feel that this would be a costly error of judgment on their part."

    "But every Clan will want Terra," the Archon-Prince said firmly. "Tukayyid is on their way there, I think you are right. But the main force of at least six Clans will be trying to race towards the heart of the Inner Sphere. Setting aside the strategic implications of severing my realm, the symbolic importance of holding the capital of the Star League will be paramount in their eyes. The Skye March and the Dieron District will be the key battlefields."

    Hettig nodded silently.

    "Makes sense," Galen said. "At least they don't have surprise this time."

    "Yes." Victor turned to the Precentor. "Thank you, Klaus. I need to discuss this further, once we have more officers available to begin updating our expectations. Will you be available?"

    "Of course, your highness."

    "Then expect an invitation to Mount Asgard." He looked at the clock. "Tomorrow. I'd say early, but given some of the officers will need to travel -" Or would be hungover from this evening's entertainment - it was already late afternoon so chances were that no small number of the senior staff would be knocking off for the evening already. "- likely in the afternoon."

    Hettig bowed. "The Peace of Blake be upon you, your highness."

    "If we are very, very lucky," he said and watched the Precentor leave. "So much for visiting New Avalon this year."

    "We could get lucky. He's right, nothing Phelan said about the ilKhan suggested that he was a pushover."

    "That would be nice, and at least we should know one way or the other before I have to decide."

    Galen grinned. "Or you could go now. A command circuit to get you there, a quickie coronation and you can be back before the Clans have time to resolve their affairs. If you leave right away, we can pretend that you had no idea this was happening until it was too late."

    "Somehow I think that Kathy has more in mind than 'Hi'," he waved with one hand. "And 'bye'," he waved the other at Galen.

    "Well, yes, she'd want to crown you as well. Possibly swinging it quite hard as she puts it on your head," his friend agreed.

    Victor shook his head. "Hard enough to distract me while she chains my ankle to the throne. I think she would let me out after I greet every member of the High Council and attend the Privy Council a few times but I'm not entirely sure," he joked.

    "I rather doubt it."

    The Archon-Prince chuckled. "No. Everyone would see it as me retreating to New Avalon in response to the Clans being a threat," he said firmly. "We cannot keep this a secret and it would do morale no good. I still plan to go there for Christmas if the Truce holds - but for now, we need a plan for the alternative. The more probable outcome."

    There was a real chance Phelan will die if Ulric falls, he thought. Either fighting at the ilKhan's side, or being purged as a result of defeat. There was considerable anger at the 'defection' of Morgan Kell's son to the Clan that had taken Tamar, but it was understood that he had been captured first and a certain grudging admiration for rising so far and fast. But to Victor's understanding, many within even his own Clan hated him as an 'upjumped spheroid' and disputed his right to the Ward bloodname. His cousin was in grave peril and there was nothing Victor could do about it.

    "I'd better have NAIS alerted," he said. "We can't afford to risk the Free Worlds League becoming hostile. Joshua Marik will need to survive a bit longer than the original plan called for."

    "Are you going to tell your sister?" Galen asked. "I don't think she'll appreciate learning that you didn't visit but you still did this right under her nose."

    "She isn't on New Avalon right now," Victor reminded him. "And besides… I don't know how she'd react. Using a doppelganger like this comes a bit too close to what Max Liao did to my father before the Fourth Succession War. It's not an easy topic to broach."

    His friend gave him a dubious look. "You know her better than I do."

    "I will let Kathy know," he told Galen. "About the Clans, and that I still plan to go to New Avalon if this blows over. She's right, I shouldn't keep putting it off. Can you send the messages to gather the high command at Mount Asgard tomorrow?"

    "I think I can manage that much," the Leftenant General assured him and left Victor to write two letters he hated the idea of. Why did Ryan Steiner want this job so much?
     
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    • Chapter 36

    Rio, Johnsondale
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    4 July 3057

    Kate had been promoted to Hauptmann before she left New Avalon. She didn't feel that she particularly deserved it; it wasn't as if she'd been doing anything especially challenging.

    On the other hand, she hadn't been given command of a battalion as soon as she'd graduated from NAIS, so she was still not being thrown into the deep end as much as Victor had been. She didn't even have a company to command, since she was on detached duty for the summer and probably for the rest of her tour of duty.

    Her 'mech had been transported as cargo and ferried to the hangar so the first time she laid eyes on it was when she arrived there herself for the training exercise. If it wasn't for the fact her Guillotine was the only 'mech there - not just the only Guillotine but the only 'mech in the entire hangar! - she would have assumed that she had been misdirected.

    "...what happened?" she asked, staring at it in disbelief. The center torso and the inside of the legs were a bright red, the arms and shoulders royal blue. White filled the gap between the two, which made this parade colors…

    "The lads were very keen to welcome you," the sergeant on guard said cheerfully. "A much better use of their time than sitting around and gossiping about a lady."

    Kate gave him a sidelong look. "Those are First Davion Guards colors," she pointed out. Now that she looked, she could see the RCT's badge on the shoulder.

    "Very proper," the older man said, salt-and-pepper mustache twitching. "I hear that you will be joining our ranks, Hauptmann."

    "When we get back to New Avalon," she allowed. It was mostly administrative, and to give the impression that she had improved herself somehow. Much like the promotion. She would be shadowing Marshal Bishop Sortek for six months, between her viceregal duties. "Isn't this a bit… presumptuous for me?"

    "Ma'am," the NCO reminded her. "You are the heir. Most heirs serve with the Brigade of Guards at some point."

    Her brother had not. Neither of her brothers, although she supposed Arthur might get such a posting when he graduated next year.

    "Not that there's anything wrong with the Tenth Lyran Guards," the man continued. "It's very respectable for the Archon-Prince to have commanded the same regiment his grandmother did. But I'm sure he would have been sent to us for a little polish if events hadn't got ahead of him."

    Kate was not at all sure of that, although perhaps she was wrong. Her parents hadn't confided their career plans for her siblings at any point, and as far as she knew, Victor had never been consulted about hers. "If you don't think it's improper then," she allowed. "I'll go mount up."

    There was no convenient gantry, which left Kate climbing the rope ladder that hung down from the cockpit of her Guillotine. It had never been her favorite part of being a mechwarrior, but there was no getting around it. Not every 'mechbay was fully equipped and even if they were, it was often necessary to get in and out of one's 'mech in the field. That was probably why the Goshen War College's Training Battalion didn't provide a gantry.

    Remembering how her arms had ached climbing up into the Wasps and Chameleons used at NAIS, Kate had to admit that the practise had paid off. Her mother had done this, when she qualified as a mechwarrior, and her grandmother had gone through the Nagelring and served for years in the LCAF before becoming Archon. There was no excuse for her to be unable to even get into a 'mech unassisted.

    Opening the canopy, she climbed inside it and peeled off the jumpsuit she'd worn. Her neurohelmet was waiting for her in a small locker, which left enough room for her to tuck the jumpsuit away. The Guillotine's cockpit was buried between the high shoulders which didn't leave a huge amount of room, so Kate waited until she'd pulled on the cooling vest and secured it before closing up the panels of armor glass in front of her. Settling into the seat, she began plugging in the medical sensors, coolant lines and then linking the neurohelmet to the computers that interlinked her brainwaves to the gyro and other systems.

    Satisfied that she'd completed her preparations and shivering slightly as turgid coolant began to move within the vest, Kate turned on the fusion reactor. The familiar rumble of the Vox 280 reactor beneath her was a reassurance - whatever paint had been added, this was still the 'mech that she and her friends had assembled under Anna Banzai's supervision. That warmed her almost as much as the gentle heat that radiated into the cockpit as the reactor idled.

    "If you know yourself," her father's voice spoke from the console. "Then identify yourself, mechwarrior." The pride in that last word leaked through: he had recorded it for her the day after she completed basic battlemech maneuvering at NAIS - the absolute minimum training required to call yourself a mechwarrior.

    "Look behind," she reminded herself. "Remember thou art mortal. Remember you must die!"

    The security lock-outs recognized her voice and the fusion reactor began to spin up, power routing to the rest of the 'mech, bringing it alive around her.

    After the reactor lit up she could activate the other systems, the multi-function displays confirming what the standard 'betty' voice reported. Sensors and communications were up, life support was active… and finally she fed power to the weapons and all five lasers reported ready. The missile launcher cycled, feeding four SRMs into the chest-mounted tubes that she and her friends had used to address the recorded problems in loading the original six-tube SRM launcher. The systems worked just as smoothly as they had back on New Avalon.

    Kate checked that the munitions in the ammo bin were reporting in as training loads, then verified that the lasers had all been dialed down to a level where they would be detectable by targets while still being far too low powered to harm an unarmored human, much less the multi-layered protective plating of a battlemech.

    "Range Control," she reported, "this is Golf-Lima-Tango-One, in Hangar 3. I request clearance to transit to the training range."

    "Golf-Lima-Tango-One," the range control officer responded, evidently having been waiting for her. "You are number one in the queue for the range today. Your temporary designation is Tigress One. Please confirm."

    "Tigress One confirms designation." She was never, ever going to live down that day she ran her greasy fingers through her hair, leaving black stripes across it and didn't notice until she got back to her dorm.

    "You are clear to leave the hangar," Kate was informed. "Waypoint markers should be visible on your HUD."

    "Roger that." The holographic display in front of her gave a far wider field of view than the canopy's confines would allow, and Kate could see a caret to the right marking the next turn after leaving the hangar.

    The seventy-ton battlemech leant forwards and then took its first step since arriving on Johnsondale. Then the next. Kate adjusted the throttle, resisting the urge to push towards the 'mech's limits. The kinetic energy of a heavy battlemech was formidable just at the walk - one mistake on her part or by the range control directing her could cause immense damage even at relatively low speed.

    Following the markers patiently, Kate navigated across the base, which looked far smaller from the elevated height of a battlemech cockpit. She had chosen her security code specifically as a warning against the arrogance often attributed in mechwarriors. After all, every 'mech had key weaknesses - the designer who believed in the perfection of their work, and the mechwarrior who accepted the hype. As one of her Guillotine's designers, Kate was aware that this made her both of the Guillotine's vulnerabilities. It was best to be on guard.

    After only a few moments she reached the end of an artificial canyon formed by stacked debris and damaged buildings. There was enough room for two or three 'mechs to march side by side down it, and she knew from similar arrangements that moveable panels would allow the veritable maze within to be altered into a variety of routes, while literally hundreds of holographic emitters would deceive her sensors to present an almost endless variety of targets.

    "This is Tigress One," she reported in. "I am at the entrance to the training range. All systems green, I am ready to begin my run."

    The huge red light at one side of the gap leading inside switched to amber. "Confirmed, Tigress One, you are… hold one."

    Kate blinked and then watched the light go to red again. Was she being recalled for some reason? They couldn't be under attack here, could they? She mentally rehearsed the steps to switch the lasers back to combat power and eject the training missiles. The last thing she'd need in a fight was a ton of missiles that she couldn't use.

    "Tigress One, this is Range Control. There is a schedule amendment, we're amending your run to a two 'mech element."

    "Please repeat that?" she asked.

    "Your training run is being amended to a two person exercise," Range Control confirmed. "Please wait as we reconfigure the range. Your partner will be with you shortly."

    Was she being hazed somehow? Kate wondered. She'd prefer to do this alone - she really wasn't a fan of letting people see how little practice she had in her battlemech. But it really wasn't that big a deal. Maybe one of the cadets was challenging her? That would be a little flattering.

    Was this how Kai Allard-Liao felt when he was challenged on Solaris VII?

    She heard the 'mech arriving before she saw it, magscan and other sensors warning her of its presence before it entered view. A JagerMech in dusty gray marched crisply towards her - the 'mech was in the same camouflage colors Kate had seen the rest of the Goshen War College Training Battalion use.

    "Good day," Kate greeted them politely, opening up the local comms net. "This is Tigress One. I understand we'll be training together today?"

    "That's right, Tigress One," a slightly familiar voice confirmed and one of her screens lit up with the video link. The face was one she'd seen the previous night and a helpful identity tag confirmed it for her. "I'm designated as Papa-Bear," Leftenant General Archibald Enoch, Goshen War College's Commandant of Cadets, introduced himself. "I look forward to seeing what you can do."

    Oh, she'd been wrong. This was what Kai's opponents felt like.


    Chapter 37

    The Triad, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    14 September 3057

    Victor's day had been going very well until he saw Galen's face.

    Well, he saw Galen's face almost every day. It was the expression that tipped him off that: "This isn't going to be good news, is it?" He wiped at his face with the towel, getting the last of the shower water off it.

    "Put on your pants," his aide told him. "You're not going to like this, and if you over-react then at least you'll have some dignity."

    The Archon-Prince glowered at him and then hung the towel up. He could argue with Galen and he'd probably win, but it really wasn't worth it. If the time needed to get dressed mattered then his old friend would not have delayed.

    "See?" he said, putting one boot up on the changing room bench so he could lace it. "Pants, shirt and I'm even putting my boots on. Spit it out, Galen. I think I'm pretty much braced for the worst."

    "Your sister is inbound on Northwind," Galen reminded him.

    "Yes?"

    "Chancellor Liao's representative has already arrived."

    Victor frowned and tilted his head sideways. "His what?"

    "Sun-Tzu Liao sent a personal emissary to Northwind," Galen expanded the point. "It's technically legal because he is a Northwind Highlander by ancestry, so he claimed the same access rights that Northwind negotiated for when they were brought into the Suns: as long as he comes in peace and not as an organized military force, he can visit his relatives there."

    "If this was just a diplomat, then you wouldn't look so worried."

    "His name is Major Loren Jaffray." The blond swallowed. "Of the Death Commandos."

    Victor snatched up his other boot and hurled it across the room, bouncing it off one of the lockers. "My little sister is about to be in the same city as one of those lunatics?"

    He got a nod.

    "Can we get rid of him? Just expel him from the planet, I mean, not start a fight that local security might not win."

    Galen shrugged. "Our reports from the Planetary Consul are that the Highlanders have welcomed him with open arms and there is precedent for Highlanders in Capellan service being allowed to visit family. It would be heavy-handed to arrest or expel him. If nothing else, it would ensure that the princess has a difficult visit."

    Victor grimaced and glanced at one of the holos on the wall - the one showing Kathy and Yvonne in the dark dresses they'd worn at their father's funeral. His sister was going there to try to allay the frictions that had arisen because she knew how much he valued the Northwind regiments. "How reliable do you think the local authorities are?"

    "Consul Burns is a politician. He knows that his future depends on loyalty to your family."

    "But that probably means the Highlanders don't trust him all that much. They like straight-talking." He thought back to his conversations with Colonel Stirling. "They would see any move on Jaffray as a move on them and Kathy would be as much under their protection as he is... How much security does Kathy have with her?"

    "Seventh Battalion of the First Royal Davion Guards, and the Fifth FedCom Battle Armor Battalion," Galen reported seriously.

    Victor exhaled. Both battalions were part of the First Davion Guard's infantry brigade, the best of the best. "You know, that's not bad. Two crack infantry battalions, one of them with the next best thing to Elemental armor. So tell me, Galen, am I being irrational in saying that that doesn't sound like nearly enough?"

    "Given that he's a company commander in the Chancellor's personal stormtroopers, meaning he's not just a trained mechwarrior, saboteur and assassin but also probably one of the dozen or so most lethal men in the Capellan Confederation…" His friend shrugged helplessly.

    "You forgot the blood oath of fealty," the Archon-Prince told him. "If he has orders to kill my sister, then he won't hesitate to do so even if it means his own death."

    "If he does have those orders. I have to admit, I'm worried too."

    Victor picked up the boot he'd thrown and shoved his foot into it. "He's there already? What do we know?"

    Galen consulted his notes. "I wouldn't say he got the prodigal son treatment - his grandfather resigned from the Highlanders rather than join them in deserting the Capellan Confederation back in the Fourth Succession War. With that said, Colonel Macleod of Macleod's Highlanders has extended him the benefit of the doubt over the protests of the governor."

    "On arrival, Jaffray presented the mech he'd brought with him to the Colonel as a gift from the Chancellor." The Leftenant General looked up and met Victor's eyes. "A factory fresh Huron Warrior."

    The shorter man paused. "Am I misremembering, Galen, or isn't that one of our newest 'mech designs? Built only in the Federated Commonwealth? Something that no Capellan should have in their possession."

    "Correct on all counts, although it's built on Corey which is a former Capellan world. I suppose it was too much to hope that every battlemech we lost track of went to Ryan Steiner and company."

    The Archon-Prince finished lacing his boot. "Have there been any Zhanzeng de Guang reports from Northwind?"

    "None, but that could just mean that they have been ordered to stay quiet until Jaffray arrived to take the lead," Galen admitted. "I can't say I believe that even Sun-Tzu would do all this just to set up an assassination of your sister, but she would make one hell of a target of opportunity."

    "At least it can't be his sister behind this," Victor said grimly. "Sun-Tzu is crazy like a fox, but every report I have on Kali Liao says she's like their mother squared."

    "But a Death Commando would take orders only from the Chancellor. He won't be under her command. That's something."

    "Not much, but it's something." He rubbed his chin. "Normally if I wanted to reinforce Northwind I'd send Colonel Stirling and her Fusiliers from Ozawa, but if there is chance of Jaffray turning the loyalties of the Highlanders then sending another regiment of them wouldn't be the best idea. Okay, I want orders sent to the Third Royal Guards and the First NAIS Cadet Cadre."

    Galen gave him a surprised look. "That's going to put some backs up on Northwind."

    "I'm willing to live with that. We can smooth those feathers later, make it clear they're just there to secure my sister given that we have reason to believe that there may be an attack on her." Victor shook his head. "Aborting the visit would be worse."

    "Less popular with the Highlanders and while I'm sure Kathy would obey such orders I'm not sure she'd be happy about it."

    "It's a compromise," the Archon-Prince declared. "I'll give her some discretion, in case this affects her negotiations; and once she leaves they will too. We can't spare them from the Free Worlds League border for long in case one of Thomas' generals thinks he's a tactical genius. But I want enough forces on hand to send a message all the way to Sian. I've been restrained so far when it came to the problems Sun-Tzu has been causing, but there are limits."


    Chapter 38

    Zenith Jump Point, Northwind
    Draconis March, Federated Commonwealth
    16 September 3057

    Kate leant back and closed her eyes as the countdown reached zero. There was a familiar lurch and she heard a pained exclaimation from Alison Campbell. Her secretary didn't suffer TDS, but she didn't find hyperspace jumps easy to bear either.

    Admittedly, Kate had never met anyone who was entirely comfortable with the experience. Her father claimed that he'd heard of someone who boasted that he enjoyed the experience, and that it was one of the most absurd bits of posturing he'd ever heard. She had offered Allison the choice of whether to come along, and the older woman had decided she wasn't going to pass up what could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Northwind on the Commonwealth's dime.

    "Are you alright?" she asked.

    "I'm fine, I just need a minute," Alison mumbled. "I…" Whatever she was about to say was cut off when the comm unit on the wall buzzed.

    Kate pushed herself upright. "It's alright," she said, waving her still green-faced secretary away, "I have it." She grabbed the handset. "Hauptmann Steiner-Davion."

    "Your highness," the captain of the jumpship greeted her. "There's a small fleet here waiting for us."

    A chill went through the blonde. "Whose fleet?"

    "They've identified themselves as the First NAIS Cadet Cadre's transports. They have a message for you."

    What are they doing here? Kate wondered. Weren't they moved over onto Oliver… or somewhere else in the Skye March? The worlds along the current border with the Free Worlds League had been less affected by Free Skye's revolt but they still needed cover against potential raids. Thomas Marik would be unlikely to approve such action at the moment, but House Marik's control over their provinces had never been strong. "Do their codes check out?"

    "They do have current codes," the captain confirmed. "Do you wish to speak to General Sanchez?"

    "Please put him through."

    There was a click and: "General, the viceroy is in the call with us."

    "General," Kate greeted him. "I'm surprised to find you here." She remembered Sanchez from when he'd visited NAIS, but then she had been a cadet.

    "We got priority orders and used a command circuit from the Pollux proximity point," Sanchez explained. "Archon-Prince Steiner-Davion is concerned about your security."

    "That's very touching." Why on Northwind, though? Victor was a great admirer of the Northwind Highlanders, she recalled his letter from after he saw the aftermath of their battle against the Jade Falcons a few years ago. "Did he say why?"

    "Yes, ma'am. I'm sending it across now."

    The comm buzzed in confirmation of a document being received.

    "I have this," Alison whispered, pulling her attache case from where it was secured to the wall. The secretary looked healthier already and it took her only a moment to take out the portable printer and plug it into the comm unit.

    "General, my concern is that offending the Northwind Highlanders will compromise my mission," Kate said while the printer worked. Alison tore the first page off, with a practiced gesture and handed it over. "Not that I put that ahead of my life, but…" She read the letter. "Ah, a Death Commando. I'm not sure this is the best solution, though. No insult to your troops is intended."

    "None taken." Sanchez' voice was steady. "On any deployment, I would always rather that the soldiers under my command are not needed."

    The Cadre wasn't made up of actual cadets, but everyone except for the officers was a recent academy graduate, spending their first two years of duty on second line duties as a final layer of polish on their training. There was no guarantee that they wouldn't see action, but statistics showed that survival rates were higher for most academy graduates if they had more time to adjust to the unavoidable differences between their academy and real deployments than simply sending them to line units.

    Two more pages had been printed out, and Kate pinned the handset between her ear and her shoulder while she juggled them. "Alright, I think I can cover this with the Highlanders, but…" She broke off as she read that the Third Royal Guards were on their way as well.

    "Your highness?"

    "Just… Either Victor knows something I don't, or he is overreacting. I take it you're aware that there's a full Regimental Combat Team due in the next week?"

    "Yes, ma'am."

    "That's a little much. As their guest, the Highlanders are honor-bound to protect me," she reminded him. "Sending the Guards makes this look like a threat to them. I take it that they have the same orders that you do - that I have discretion to amend how your mission is carried out?"

    "To the best of my understanding, they do," confirmed Sanchez. "I take it that you wish to do so?"

    "Yes. For now, assume that your combat support -" The infantry and armor element of the Cadet Cadre, including their battle armor battalion. "- will be supplementing my security on Northwind. I'll try to arrange for the rest of your command to land on Halidon to use the training facilities, but you may need to ground your dropships on one of Northwind's moons." Technically, the Highlanders' title was to the planet itself, meaning that the rest of the star system was fair game if she couldn't arrange for the 'mech regiment to land on Northwind's smallest continent, diplomatically well away from the Highlander's main presence.

    "Zero atmosphere training while keeping us near the rest of our unit," Sanchez agreed. "I'm not going to lie, I would rather be on Northwind."

    "Understandably. As for the Third, I want them at arms' reach."

    "Your orders are received and understood," the leftenant general confirmed. "I look forward to meeting you on Northwind, your highness."

    Kate ended the call and turned to Allison. "Take down a message, please."

    The older woman had a notepad and pen in her hand right away. "Ready when you are."

    "To Marshal Harrison Bradford of the Third Royal Guards. Acting on the authority delegated to me by the Archon-Prince, I am amending your instructions with regard to my security. Your Regimental Combat Team is to redirect to Caph where you are expected to maintain a combat command of brigade strength at immediate readiness to deploy to support any threat to worlds within one jump. I have great respect for your command's professionalism and have high expectations for your readiness to see to my security and that of the Terran Corridor. Viceroy Katherine Steiner-Davion, etc… usual titles there, Alison."

    Caph was one of the nearest worlds to Terra, but it was also just one jump from Northwind. Broadening the Third Royal Guards's instruction would hopefully neutralize the impression that the Highlanders were considered a threat to her. It could reasonably be claimed that they were simply additional coverage for the region, in case of Zhanzeng de Guang or similar activity in the region.

    "I have that," Alison confirmed and handed the notepad over to Kate, who re-read her words. "Add an invitation for the Marshal to visit me on Northwind if his duties allow, and send that," she decided.

    The secretary scribbled an adjustment and then started typing on her noteputer.

    Kate herself went back to the comm unit and activated the record function. "Colonel Macleod, I am sure you have received confirmation that I have arrived in the Northwind system. Given some unconfirmed reports that the terrorist activity in the Sarna March may spread to the nearby Draconis March, I have been asked to augment my security detail beyond that which was already discussed."

    "As my brother has no doubt whatsoever as to the ability of your Highlanders to deal with overt threats, this will be limited to an additional infantry battalion in my close detail and a force of armored cavalry to secure our dropships. I appreciate that this will complicate your planning for my arrival and I apologize for the inconvenience that this will cause."

    "If it would be of any compensation, I would be happy to redirect elements of the First NAIS 'mech regiment from their current training schedule to provide an opposing force for your academy on Halidon, covering all costs of such an exercise. I know that field training has value to cadets only equaled by its expense, and it would be my honor to assist in sharpening the swords of the next generation of your brigade, should you find this desirable."

    Kate stopped the recording and then replayed it before filing it and contacting the comm center aboard her dropship to have it transmitted down to Northwind.
     
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    • Chapter 39

    Mount Asgard, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    16 September 3057

    Thomas Marik's face was a mask of righteous anger. "I have evidence, incontrovertible evidence, that the Joshua Marik under care in the Federated Commonwealth is not my son. He is, in fact, a minion of Victor Steiner-Davion. The Archon-Prince's purpose in substituting this other child for my son is obvious: he wishes to put his puppet in the Captain-General's place at the helm of this nation."

    In the privacy of his office, Victor understood at last what his father must have felt, as he watched Sun-Tzu gloat in that last message, the one that had been playing as Hanse Davion's heart gave out. He was younger than his father, and healthier. But his own heart writhed with him at the words.

    But this was worse.

    Sun-Tzu was a smug snake, boasting at an old man whose pride lay in service to his people. Thomas was the old man here, and his anger was just.

    And aimed at Victor.

    The recording of the Captain-General had not paused for Victor's self-loathing, but now Thomas' own words faltered and Victor looked up to met the gaze of the scarred man on the trivee display.

    Gathering himself, the Marik resumed his speech: "I am forced to assume that my son is dead. Given the nature of his illness, such an outcome was not unexpected. What was unexpected was Victor Steiner-Davion's cold and cruel and calculated attempt to take advantage of my loss, our loss, to further his own political ends. Unable to govern the realm his butchered mother left to him, he dabbles in the internal politics of his neighbors, desperately hoping to absorb them into his faltering empire."

    "No…" The Archon-Prince whispered. That had never been his goal. Conquest was never his goal!

    But who would believe him now? For everything else he was accused of was true. Every other accusation had hit home.

    In the dim privacy of his grandmother's office, Victor Steiner-Davion wondered how she would have judged him. Harshly, he could only assume. He had indeed failed the realm left to him by his family… and it could not have had worse timing. One of the messages on his desk was what might be Phelan's last message: IlKhan Ulric Kerensky had been deposed by vote of the Grand Council. Unless he won his Trial of Refusal to overturn that decision, the Clans would surge towards Terra once more.

    Everything was falling apart around him.

    The image of Thomas Marik blinked off for a moment, as the speech concluded, before displaying a count-down before it repeated itself. Victor looked away and then blinked at the ping of an inbound message from his desk.

    He had told Galen not to interrupt him. He'd made it an order, in fact.

    Victor forced himself to check the console and found the answer. Messages from his family bypassed normal channels. This one was marked as from Kathy. He checked the clock and did the math automatically; she must have sent it within hours of seeing Thomas Marik's declaration of war.

    He had this coming, the Archon-Prince supposed. He terminated the repeat of Marik's speech and prepared to face his sister's anger.

    Kathy was wearing a sash of Campbell tartan across her uniform. "Victor," she said quietly. "I don't think I can tell you anything you're not telling yourself. Cousin Morgan can probably yell at you better than I can - someone that tall has to have bigger lungs than I do."

    The disappointed expression, so much like their mother's, hurt more than if she was yelling.

    "Moving on," his sister said, visibly pulling herself together. "You must have heard now about David Sandoval. Every report I have suggests the chain of command is in tatters. I don't have the military rank, but I am nearest and if there was ever a time to use royal authority to cut across the confusion this is it. I'm asking for formal authority over the Sarna March until David recovers or someone more senior can get here."

    What had happened to Sandoval? Victor wondered, looking guiltily at the door. What had he been missing?

    On the trivee, Kathy leant forwards. "Victor, even Dad wasn't right all the time. This has all the earmarks of one of his plans. I thought Mom would have told you that wasn't a guarantee of success, but maybe not. The difference was, he was the great Hanse Davion and could brush off the occasional reverse."

    "And I can't," he replied as if she was there.

    Kathy continued without interruption. "You're not Dad… but you're still my brother. I'm sure you're very busy getting things back under control, so I'll cut this short. Love you."

    This message, like the last, prompted him with a count-down before it would repeat. Victor tapped the controls to prevent that and sat back in his seat, leaning back… looking at the ceiling. He exhaled slowly.

    And then, with what seemed like herculean effort, he entered the comm code for Galen.

    "Victor?" his friend asked. "Are you…"

    "Done sulking in my tent? Yes, I think so."

    "I never mistook you for Achilles."

    "Just a bit of a heel. That's what it feels like." He ran one hand down his face. "I need a shower and a coffee. Is it too late in the day for you to put a quick briefing together on what I've missed?"

    "No, it's not too late. I'll see you in thirty minutes."

    "Thirty minutes it is." Victor cut the call, looked at the grandfather clock placed where he could see it from the desk and winced. "Not too late? I don't deserve him."

    The Archon-Prince started the coffee and then stepped into the bathroom next to his office. By the time he was out again, in pants and shirt-sleeves, the machine had finished its preparations and spat black coffee into his mug. The smell alone reminded him had it had been a while since he ate.

    A knock on the door reminded him that he'd locked the door and he padded over to correct that.

    Galen looked him up and down. "Doing this informally, I see," he deadpanned, studying Victor's bare feet.

    "I'll hide my toes behind my desk," he promised. "Do you want some coffee?"

    "What do you think I've been drinking while I waited?" His aide took a seat facing the desk and opened up his noteputer. "Do you care where we start?"

    "Sarna," Victor said and dropped two sugar cubes into his mug, stirring it. He didn't usually like to sweeten it, but he might need the energy.

    Galen arched an eyebrow and then brought up a file. "The Capellan side of the attack was partnered with the Zhanzeng de Guang launching another major wave of attacks. They must have been planning this ahead of time."

    "Or at least for it," he said grudgingly. "I have to wonder what Sun-Tzu had in mind to trigger this if Thomas hadn't found out about Joshua."

    "We might want to find out in case he has something else ready," the other man agreed. "But they have been aiming for everywhere our command structure was strained dealing with the casualties of their previous attack. Our troops are doing everything they can, but coordinating anything beyond individual worlds is difficult and Marshal Sandoval was one of the first casualties. It's not clear who is in command right now. We need to send someone out there."

    "Alright." At least there was something he could do right away. "I'll send a message to Kathy, giving her complete authority to organize a new command structure for the Sarna March."

    "Are you sure that's the best idea? She's just a Hauptmann."

    "I'm not expecting her to fight any battles. She just has to organize the people doing it," Victor assured him. "She's practically there already and everyone knows who she is." He paused. "It's also an ironclad excuse for her to leave Northwind and that damned Death Commando behind."


    Chapter 40

    Tara, Northwind
    Draconis March, Federated Commonwealth
    19 September 3057

    "I trust that this satisfies your concerns?" Kate asked, setting down the pen with which she'd amended the agreement for what she hoped was the last time.

    Colonel William MacLeod accepted the document and read what she had added. "Aye," he concluded. "It's nae what we wanted, but we can live with it. I'll have tae run it past the Elders but I think they'll be satisfied."

    "'Tis fair," the colonel's aide asserted, "But will yer brother uphold it?"

    "Laurie," the colonel rumbled in a warning tone.

    The woman shook her head. "Ah've nothing against the viceroy," she added. "She pilots a Guillotine, which is a mark of a gentle-lady. But her brother is a kidnapper!"

    Kate raised her hand to quell any further attempt by MacLeod to silence his aide. "It's a fair question. You're not the first person to raise that matter, Captain Corey. It does not surprise me that it's a fellow Guillotine driver who has the decency to ask rather than assume." Laurie Corey's Guillotine was a much-patched-together relic of the Star League, a legacy of her family that it had only been possible to restore to service a few years ago.

    The captain looked abashed. "'Tis fair," she repeated. "Will it be kept, though?"

    "By Thomas Marik's own words," Kate told them, "the test that showed him Joshua's identity was a simple one. That makes the claim that Victor hoped to somehow usurp the Free Worlds League even more laughable than the idea that than Joshua would be confirmed as Captain-General when he was only eleven years old now. That would be planning a very long way ahead. Even if he had recovered from his leukemia, on return to the Free Worlds League he would have surely gone through a full medical exam to verify that and it would have obviously uncovered his identity."

    "Alright, but even if your brother wasn't trying tae usurp the Captain-General, he did replace his son wi' an imposter."

    Kate spread her hands. "I do not deny it. But answer me this: when Luthien came under attack by the Clans, what did everyone expect my father to do?"

    The two Highlanders exchanged looks. "We were figurin' we'd be asked tae move across the border," MacLeod admitted. "Tae take worlds like Dieron or Al Na'ir. 'Twere a great surprised to hear he'd sent forces tae Kurita's aid."

    She nodded. "Victor has cause to think that the Truce of Tukayyid will be cut short. If he is right, then the Clans will move on Terra and perhaps on Tharkad. If that's the case, Thomas Marik would be well placed to take back the worlds his father lost in 3029."

    No one said 'as he is at the moment' but the thought was there.

    "Given that the only reason that Thomas Marik gave what little aid he did during the original invasion was the medical care for Joshua, I can understand why Victor was reluctant to tell the Captain-General that his son was dying and that there was nothing more we could do for him. Particularly with Skye falling apart due to Porrima's power-grab."

    Corey choked and Marshal Harrison Bradford, who had been restrained enough not to comment on anything outside of military specifics so far, chuckled. "Is that what you call it?"

    Kate smiled scornfully. "It isn't as if it ever had anything to do with freeing Skye." She rather hoped that associating the conflict with Ryan Steiner would catch on. "To go back to your question, my brother will accept these terms because it is in his best interests to do so. He can make mistakes - any of us can - but he makes them in trying to defend the Federated Commonwealth. He may alienate you one day, but I can assure you that he will never do so intentionally."

    "'Twas still no right," the Colonel observed. "But I can understand it. Does tha' satisfy you, Captain?"

    Corey looked truculent but she nodded. "Aye, sair."

    The Highlanders both stood and MacLeod drew himself up, saluting Kate. "Your royal highness."

    "Colonel," she answered, managing a smile. "Please carry on."

    The two departed and Kate turned towards the Marshal next to her. "Thank you for sitting in on this, Harrison."

    "It was my pleasure," he replied. "It's a much better way to support you than having to bring the rest of the Guards in and fight those two and their troops. We'd win, of course, but it would be a bloody business."

    "Speaking of which…" Kate handed the annotated corrections to the accords over to an aide and accepted a briefcase in exchange. There were several fat folders inside and she pulled them out. "I have a new mission for you."

    Bradford accepted the folder she gave him and looked at the cover, then opened it to look at the summary on top of the contents. "Epsilon Eridani?"

    Kate nodded. "It is within a jump of Caph, so this is covered by your previous orders, but I'm going to have to ask a little more."

    "I thought that the March Militia there had matters in hand?"

    "In a sense," she agreed. "General Benton has successfully put down the uprisings against the Federated Commonwealth, but he has also proclaimed himself a duke and deposed the existing government."

    The commander of the Third Royal Guard's eyes narrowed. As a minor scion of House Bradford, one of the major players within the Commonwealth, he would have been aware of the lines being crossed even if he wasn't also commanding one of the AFFC's most prominent units. "I take it that you disapprove?"

    "Correct." Kate steepled her hands. "I'm appointing you to take control of the Epsilon Eridani defense zone. I believe that the Denebolans and Gustafson's Grenadiers can keep Caph secure for now?"

    The Denebola Skye March Militia was among the first units to be reconstituted from Skye, having had relatively few defections to the uprising. In fact, they'd been more depleted by transfers to other rebuilding units. Their reward had been a three month posting to Caph for exercises against the mercenary forces maintained by the Duke of Caph.

    This had unfortunately left them entirely out of position when Denebola was one of the first worlds struck by the FWLM. The three brigades that had landed would almost certainly have defeated the SMM, but their narrow escape didn't off-set the loss of their homeworld. There was little chance of retaking Denebola until substantial reinforcements could be gathered.

    "Giving them a mission will help," Bradford confirmed. "Do you have any other concerns with the region?"

    "There have been no direct attacks so far, but there are no shortage of terrorist forces. If the SMM forces can be brought back under control, deploy them as you see fit." She was giving Bradford a long leash, but his ambitions lay more towards recognition and a suitable retirement rather than building his own vest-pocket empire. Who knew? Perhaps he might find himself Duke of Epsilon Eridani when this settled out.

    He folded his hands. "Will you be remaining here on Northwind?"

    "For now," Kate agreed. "But to stabilize the situation I intend to move my headquarters to Terra Firma and use it as the headquarters for re-establishing administration."

    "Won't you need my Guards there?"

    She shook her head. "I'll take the NAIS Cadre and join up with the Fourth and Fifth Republican Guards. We can afford to lose Elgin and Hall, and if they get hit by the same hammer blows that have struck elsewhere we could lose both the worlds and the troops. Terra Firma is better placed and it has the logistics to support military operations."

    Bradford pressed his lips together. "Respectfully, your highness, the Royal Guards are your best striking force. The Republican Guards are not the most reliable troops. My mission from your brother was to see to your safety."

    Kate held up her hand. "At the moment, the best security I can have is to keep our end of the Terran Corridor open and that means holding Epsilon Eridani. However, I don't intend to go directly to Terra Firma. Outreach isn't much of a diversion, and I intend to remind the Wolf Dragoons that the terms of their ownership of the world rest on holding it for the Federated Commonwealth, not acting as an independent world. Negotiations are underway to hire two regiments of the Wolf Dragoons, as well as pick up supplies to reinforce units that are currently falling back."

    "I accept your mission," the Marshal agreed. "I hope your brother understands, though. If you die leading some ambitious counterattack, I will have to answer to him."

    "My brother would no doubt try that," Kate reassured him. "I am only here to rally forces and prepare them for that. No doubt someone like Morgan Hasek-Davion or Ardan Sortek is on their way to take over and I'll happily hand command over to them once they arrive."


    Chapter 41

    Mount Asgard, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    20 October 3057

    "Victor, you would be better placed staying here," Morgan advised.

    Turning, Victor saw that they had a degree of privacy as they approached the Marshal of Armies' office. "I know you mean well, Morgan. But I haven't done so well in governing from Tharkad."

    His cousin shook his head. "The idea of expiating one's sins in the battlefield is so hackneyed that even the Immortal Warrior movies won't touch it," he retorted.

    "That's not what I have in mind. My death would just drop all my mistakes onto Kathy." Victor indicated the door and waited until Morgan admitted them before continuing: "But I need to find my own balance in how to rule, rather than trying to be my father all over again."

    The older mechwarrior studied him gravely. "We agree on that," he finally allowed. "But where do you see that balance as being?"

    "Father may have been able to rule from the capital, but it keeps me too far from problems. I lost my perspective on the decisions." Victor paced over to the side of Morgan's desk before turning. "When was the last time I went to even Donegal, much less any of the other key worlds? Kathy's right, I should have visited New Avalon, but I was too afraid that if I was on the move I wouldn't be able to keep my eye on everything. And before you bring up my uncle, Archons have taken to the field before."

    "At times, yes. Do you think that this situation calls for it?"

    Victor nodded confidently. "I do. I know how to lead soldiers, and both realms respect a successful battlefield commander. If we can give Thomas Marik a bloody nose, I think he will back down. To a large extent, he has what he wants: worlds back from our borders, and revenge on me. Besides, he's allied with Sun-Tzu and I can't imagine that's comfortable for him."

    "There are few guarantees in war," the Marshal warned. "But let us say that you succeed. What then?"

    "New Avalon," the Archon-Prince said firmly. "No one can call it a retreat if I have a win against Marik first. I need to deal with what I've left to Kathy, I owe her. I don't like being away from the Clan front, but the news there is…" He shook his head. "Win or lose, Ulric Kerensky is giving us the best chance of surviving the next few years."

    Morgan nodded reluctantly. "I admire the results, if not the methods."

    The embattled ilKhan had met his opponents head on, by raising the stakes of his Trial. Clan Jade Falcon had won the right to defend the Grand Council's decision, but they must now be regretting it, for Ulric had chosen to commit all of Clan Wolf - or at least their full forces in the Inner Sphere - to his cause. And with the same decisive speed that they had used to sweep through the Free Rasalhague Republic, Clan Wolf's touman was crashing through the Jade Falcon's occupation zone.

    It would have been normal to commit no more than a single Cluster - the Clan's equivalent of a regimental force - to such a trial. But with the battles raging across their corridor, the Jade Falcons faced the potential annihilation of the bases and logistics they would need to resume the invasion. Even if they managed to win without devastating losses - hardly likely - they would be a shell of themselves. Analysts were already predicting that this would set them further back than their defeat on Tukayyid.

    Of course, the other invading Clans would be unscathed and that would be unfortunate for the Draconis Combine if the Ghost Bears, Smoke Jaguars and Nova Cats assaulted them, but it was still better for the Federated Commonwealth. Indeed, he and Morgan had been forced to restrain eager anticipation by some planning officers who felt that this would open the door to shatter the Steel Vipers while they were isolated as the only Clan in a position to fight back against a counterattack.

    The Terran Corridor would come first. But Ulric had given Victor time and it could not be wasted.

    "It will take time to get a solid force together," his cousin continued cautiously. "Where do you want to strike first?"

    "Callison." Victor walked to the wall where a map of the entire Inner Sphere lay, pointing one finger at a system that had changed hands more than once during the Succession Wars. "The Eleventh Lyran Guards are holding out, and that gives us a chance to put troops on the ground."

    "And of course, it gives you a chance to meet the man whose reports you've been devouring."

    The younger man didn't flush, he hoped. Hauptmann Caradoc Trevana's force had been cut off from the rest of the Lyran Guards RCT by the invaders, but not from the HPG station. Assuming command of a mixed band of Guards and the planetary militia, Trevana was fighting a guerilla war that even by other's reports was tying down a full third of the invasion force. His own slightly sardonic reports had been leaked for the simple fact that he had lost access to secure codes. While he had had to be sparing on the specifics of his situation, they had substituted the detail of his soldiers' lives.

    The Commonwealth badly needed a hero, and if half of Trevana's reports were truth rather than skilful mis-information, he was that man - whether he realized it or not.

    "Judging by data we've intercepted from within the FWLM, he's someone we can't afford to lose. A tactician, a leader and an excellent trainer of soldiers," Victor justified. "And if we beat back the invasion of Callison, that opens up the flank of Thomas' offensive. He can't be sure we won't press deeper into the League." He saw Morgan's look and shook his head. "I have no intention of doing so, but he won't know that."

    "He might also throw everything he has at you. Revenge can be a powerful motivator. What forces are you planning to take?" Morgan asked.

    "The Kathil Uhlans and the Tenth Lyran Guards," Victor replied immediately. "Second Kearny Highlanders, First Kell Hounds and one of the Gray Death Legion battalions, whichever Carlyle thinks best."

    The Marshal went behind his desk and sat, steepling his hands. "Just one RCT will leave you short on armor and infantry. We don't know how badly the Eleventh Guards have been mauled - it's possible they'll be in no shape to do more than harass the Leaguers the way Trevana's forces are. Those are good units, although if you try to lead the first wave I will ask Leftenant General Cox to handle you the way he did on Trellwan."

    The Archon-Prince glowered at him and then shook his head. "Moving another RCT from the frontlines would stretch our shipping and I can't pull much from other borders… wait, the Twelfth Donegal Guards should be available."

    Morgan's eyes widened. "They're still raw, but yes."

    "They will have to face this sooner or later," Victor told him. "The Uhlans and the mercenaries can act as a first wave, then the two RCTs back them up. It's a large enough force to break the back of the units on world, so Thomas will have to either reinforce or withdraw."

    "Which he chooses will tell us how committed he is to this," the redhead conceded. "You will be with the Lyran Guards." It was not a question.

    "As plans go, it needs refinement. And positioning the troops will mean moving the jumpships." Morgan warned. "I can't see this happening before next year."

    "I know. Anything could happen first. My plan is to join the task force and hit Callison in February," the Archon-Prince agreed. "I'll look at contingencies for other worlds if the Eleventh can't hold out until then. I hate to leave them out on a limb like that, but throwing our troops at them in penny packets won't accomplish anything."

    "We need to trade space for time." His cousin brushed his hair back. "And in the meantime, we need to pin down where their warships are. Our best information is that they aren't going to be committed. The FWLN wants to give their ships a good shakedown, and then test their doctrine as they train up crews. But we could be wrong."

    Victor nodded. "Our own corvettes are in a similar state, but I don't want to escalate to that if Thomas doesn't. We need our warships to face the Clans."

    "That isn't a concern he has to face."

    "Unless, of course, the Clans reach Terra."

    "Don't even joke about it," Morgan said in a warning voice. "If they cut the Terran Corridor, then to all practical purposes the Federated Commonwealth will fall apart. Worse, there won't be enough troops left on the Suns' side to stop a serious push on New Avalon. Not with the Sarna March in its current state."
     
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    • Chapter 42

    The Fort, Northwind
    Draconis March, Federated Commonwealth
    20 October 3057

    Kate had just barely got to sleep when the alarms went off. She had barely opened her eyes when the door to her room burst open and a pair of guards were inside and half-dragging her out of bed.

    Fortunately she recognised them as members of the 1st Davion Royal Guards regiment, or it would have been more than a little alarming, particularly as both wore night-vision goggles and hadn't bothered with little things like lights.

    "Situation?" the blonde muttered, knowing this wouldn't be good. The carpet was warm underfoot, but she'd rather have her boots. For that matter, more than the nightgown she wore would be nice. It was fairly modest, but not exactly warm.

    "Multiple dropships inbound," the one on the right explained tersely. "Need to get to shelters."

    She didn't bother to argue as they left her assigned room and headed for the stairs. Every building, including the VIP quarters for guests, had access to deep bunkers originally dug by the SLDF. Many served martial purposes, but they weren't interlinked with those that would probably be filled shortly with dependents of the Highlanders.

    It wasn't until they were on the stairs that she recognised the particular tone and realized the rush wasn't just understandable but not strictly necessary urgency. The alarms weren't the relatively sedate warning of a distant threat, this was the rapid whoop of a threat they had only minutes to prepare for. "How far out?"

    "Practically on top of us," the other guard panted. "If they weren't slowing…"

    Kate's mind was beginning to churn, the last vestiges of sleep gone. "Long range sensors are down," she guessed. "This is an inside job - our bunker must be known." Possibly sabotaged as well, but that was less likely.

    Neither guard corrected her assumption, but from the way their grips on her elbows tightened, they hadn't thought that through yet. Fair enough, they had probably just been given the mission of getting her to shelter with no time for more thinking.

    "Get me to my 'mech," Kate demanded. "A moving target…"

    "Right," the one on the left agreed. Now that it had been voiced, they were smart enough to weigh the alternatives without being told. Then the pair of them hoisted her up off her feet and started to run down the hall. "Fox Thirty-Six," the man continued, likely into his radio. "Need pick-up. Possible compromise of Jerusalem. Going with Bethlehem. Repeat, Bethlehem."

    The blonde was just along for the ride, but she knew Jerusalem was the code for the bunker, Bethlehem for the hangar where her 'mech was stored.

    The door at the end of the hall was flung open with someone careless of their strength, it crashed against the inside wall. The three of them were outside and the cold night air had barely kissed Kate's skin before the men holding her threw her to one of the ape-like shapes waiting.

    She screamed unashamedly as the trooper caught her in metal arms, spun and then burned his jumpjets - flinging himself and the princess across the open ground separating the residential areas from the hangars.

    Objectively, Kate was aware that this was the fastest way to get her there. The Battle Armor was as fast as a car over short distances and, most importantly, it was already ready to go. It was still something she'd never rehearsed and even if someone had suggested it she would have been wanting to have more than one think layer of clothes between her and the battle armor.

    The rest of the squad were behind the lead, but before the second bounding leap - the thrusters of the Battle Armor roaring louder than a 'mech jump jets (they might be smaller, but right now they were far more immediate!) - they had caught up and then at the next they started to forge ahead. They were unburdened, of course, and more tactically they would sweep the hangar as best they could before she arrived. Kate could see, in brief glances, the three other squads of the platoon chasing after from where they had been on station around her quarters.

    Lights were on all over the Fort, Highlanders rushing to get to their own 'mechs or other applicable post. Kate prayed it was just the long-range radar and other sensors that had been sabotaged. It wouldn't be easy to have caused more comprehensive damage, but even taking out those systems would have been hard enough…

    The leading battle armor smashed into the maintenance door of the hangar without bothering to slow down - a ton of man and metal moving that fast was more than enough to compromise even the reasonably secured entrance and the trooper crashed through.

    There was a shout from within and Kate remembered that while she had use of one end of the hangar, the regimental command lance of MacLeod's Highlanders were using the other. A diplomatic incident wasn't her first concern right now, but it wouldn't help!

    Seconds later, Kate was inside herself and her ride set her down as carefully as he could - two more guards forming close around her. She thought she might be in more danger of being crushed by them than she was of being shot, but a moment later the lead man heaved Loren Jaffray onto the floor in the middle of the hangar.

    Kate had barely seen him before, although she had seen multiple pictures. He fit in well among the Highlanders, even adopting their customary kilt before she had arrived. For obvious reasons, Kate hadn't sought him out but now that she saw him, he looked more like a professional soldier than the elite spy, assassin and saboteur that he must have been trained to be.

    Right now, he seemed more frustrated than afraid. "You have to let me finish!"

    "Finish what?" Kate demanded.

    Jaffray stared at her for a moment and she realized that he was in the same position she was: taking her measure in person for the first time. "We need every 'mech," he pointed out sharply. "I was -"

    "You were readying MacLeod's own 'mech," the trooper still holding onto the commando snapped. He jerked his helmet slightly, perhaps trying to nod towards the Huron Warrior across the way from Kate's Guillotine.

    "Get me boots and a cooling vest," she ordered a fifth trooper as the rest of the platoon filtered in.

    "What are you doing!" a shout came up as Colonel MacLeod entered, flanked by two more Highlanders. "Your highness?" he added belatedly.

    Kate shook her head. "Make this quick," she ordered the trooper.

    "Briefing said he was coded into the Gallowglas," the man said shortly.

    "Aye," MacLeod confirmed. "It's what I used 'til I got my new ride."

    "Then what was Jaffray doing in the Huron Warrior's cockpit?"

    "...good question," the colonel allowed. "And we have no time for questioning."

    Jaffray looked between them and there was something frantic on his face. "I… there's a chance to stop this. Just let me finish!"

    "Finish what?!" demanded one of the Highlanders.

    "I can send abort codes."

    Kate and MacLeod exchanged looks. She figured that the man understood exactly what went through her mind: the only attack Jaffray could order off would be Capellans. Which meant, likely as not, that he was the inside man. "Do you trust him?" she asked simply as the cooling vest was provided. Kate slipped her arms into it and zipped it as the trooper offered the boots.

    "I thought I could," the Highland Colonel admitted, "I thought… May I?"

    "All yours." Kate shoved her feet into the boots and then the leader of the battle armor scooped her up once more. She didn't scream as he leapt, jump jets flaring to lift them both to the level of the Guillotine's cockpit.

    The sound of a sidearm going off was very loud in the hangar. Kate got just a glimpse of the result as she scrambled inside, and broke with habit to clamp the canopy closed as soon as she was within. Loren Jaffray lay on the ferrocrete floor, blood beginning to pool beneath him as MacLeod and his companions made for their own 'mechs. Very notably, the colonel was headed for the Gallowglas, not the gifted Huron Warrior.

    She raced through the preparations, very conscious that time had been short to begin with. A wave of sound washed through the hangar as the main doors began to slide open, exposing them to the outside.

    Hanse Davion's voice wasn't quite drowned out by the sounds of heavy-duty turrets opening fire. Clearly the sabotage hadn't been all that wide-spread. "If you know yourself, then identify yourself, mechwarrior."

    Kate closed her eyes. This was it. This was for real. "Look behind," she whispered. "Remember… remember thou art mortal. Remember that… that you must die!" God, what a morbid thing to say! What had she been thinking?

    The lights failed to go green and as an explosion rocked the hangar, the young woman realized she must have either said something wrong, or was just too rattled to match the voiceprint. "Look behind! Remember thou art morta!" she half-shouted as the Highlanders began to march out. "Remember! You must die!"

    This time it worked, and her 'mech lurched to life. Fingers already sweaty against the joysticks, Kate put it into motion, not concerned now with incidental damage. This time there were no training shots in her magazine, and the lasers were at full, killing power.

    There were dropships in the air above them - two roughly spherical Unions and a larger Overlord that looked more like an egg. They were above easy range for most of Kate's weapons and there were no markings on them. That wasn't true of everything though and explosions marked where missiles were reaching up towards them. Some were detonating short though, indicating a refit with anti-missile turrets.

    There were no markings on the dropships, nothing to identify them. But battlemechs were spilling from their hatches, black with jade-green trim barely visible in the brief flashes of light from explosions.

    It was a paint-scheme that Kate Steiner-Davion knew all too well. She had seen thousands of portrayals of her father's infamous battle in defense of NAIS. Probably almost as many of the battle of Kathil, where her cousin Morgan had founded his infamous Uhlan regiment.

    Loren Jaffray's comrades had come to Northwind, and they had not come alone. Or at least she hoped not, as smaller shapes resembling her own guards dropped around the 'mechs.

    There were fifty or sixty battlemechs, and the best estimate she'd seen of the Death Commandos was somewhere around a battalion and a half. If the battle armor were also manned by Commandos then they might be far more numerous than reports claimed.

    A ping marked someone trying to contact her and Kate hit the accept key without thinking about it.

    "I have a spare slot in m' command lance," MacLeod offered tersely. "Your 'mech isnae fast enough to get clear if they send their lights or mediums after you."

    Kate was very glad that she had ordered her Guillotine repainted from the previous gaudy colors of the Davion Guards. The dark green of the NAIS Cadet Cadres was a polite nod to her additional security, but it would blend in much better with the Highlanders. "Gladly." Being alone on the battlefield was a death sentence, if her teachers had taught her anything.

    "Tactical channel six, we'll tightbeam y' the codes."

    She set the comms channel correctly with one hand as the Guillotine strode after her new comrades. Battle Armor scurried to try to keep up, the troopers likely also preparing for what was almost a first. Certainly for them, the Inner Sphere hadn't had battle armor for long and its few uses so far had been against Clan Elemental Infantry for the most part. Kate wasn't prepared to say that there had been no purely Inner Sphere clashes between battle armor, but this was the first for either of the two battalions on their side.

    The codes came through and her battle computer processed them automatically, one of the multi-function displays updating its map with data on Highlander deployments and estimated positions of the enemy. Normally, fighting in a base like the Fort, the built in sensors should have been enough to make those estimates highly accurate, but there were spreading areas of uncertainty that Kate suspected were the result of deliberate targeting of sensors or communication nodes.

    More and more Highlander icons were popping to life as 'mechs went active… but as Kate watched, one of them disappeared.

    First blood had been scored, and not by the Northwind Highlanders.

    "Can you get us any support?" MacLeod demanded brusquely.

    Kate reached for the comm panel. "I'll see what I can do." She switched channels. "General Sanchez?"

    For a wonder, there was no jamming. "I'm aware of the situation," he said, sounding out of breath. "We're scrambling our 'mechs onto dropships now, but it'll be an hour." That would be a near-eternity in battle… but it was also exceptionally fast, only possible because the Cadre had been prepared for such an eventuality. "Our cavalry are on their way from dropships, but that will be perhaps ten minutes."

    "I'll nae turn it down," the Highlander said when Kate relayed those facts. "'Tis a tight spot we're in."

    Kate's jaw tightened as the markers for two more Highlander 'mechs dropped off the display. "I'll follow your lead."

    There were no battle lines - the Highlanders were spilling out of their hangars, incomplete lances and companies depending on who had reached their cockpits. The Death Commandos were spreading out, something she could track more or less by the gaps in sensor data. MacLeod's Highlanders had numbers on their side, but not all of them were mounted up and unless those numbers could be brought to bear.

    "Make best speed, lassie," MacLeod ordered and his Gallowglas began to run through the scattered building. A Crab sprinted ahead, acting as scout for them. Kate could keep up with the Gallowglas - a new design from the Dragoon's factories on Outreach - and the Vindicator that filled out their incomplete lance fell in behind her. "We'll link up wi' Mulvaney's battalion, she's taking losses so she must be in contact wi' the Chancellor's pets."

    There was a seething anger under the old mechwarrior's words that assuaged some of Kate's nerves - and dragged her attention from wondering if the Crab had been built at the old Cosara factory here on Northwind. It had provided parts for years, but if it was building new 'mechs… Well, it would not surprise her if the Highlanders had kept that a secret. Battlemech factories were highly prized and she would not have been surprised if part MacLeod's insistence on their rights to privacy within their own bases and facilities was to hide how much or little capacity they had. A mercenary command that could replaces its own losses was a power in its own right, just look at the Wolf Dragoons on Outreach!

    "Contact left!" the mechwarrior in the Crab shouted, turning his low-slung medium 'mech in that direction. The fifty-ton machine skidded on the road surface, slowing just before a flight of LRMs would have showered it.

    Kate backtracked the missiles to the hulking shape of a Crusader that emerged from the shadows, the covers raised from its missile launchers. More missiles rushed from behind it, a Dervish in the same dark colors joining the fray. This time the Crab was less fortunate and she saw armor peel away under the barrage of LRMs.

    "Fire in passant!" growled MacLeod, which took Kate a moment to parse. The heavy Gallowglas raised the gun-shaped ER PPC in its right arm - not unlike that of the Battlemaster her dad had piloted - but the colonel's first shot missed as the Crusader ducked slightly. Undaunted, the Highlander kept his torso turning and the twin large lasers were more accurate, scoring a fiery line across the chest of the heavy Capellan 'mech.

    Kate brought up her own lasers - the range was poor for her right arm's medium lasers so she opened up with the larger models in her chest. The Death Commando 'mech stepped forwards sharply and twin beams of coherent light slashed through the building behind it. There was no time to worry about the property damage - she adjusted her aim and fired the extended range laser in her left arm. This hit home, carving into the plating over one of the Crusader's bulky missile launchers.

    The flash of the Vindicator firing on the Dervish was visible but Kate had no attention left to spare, one eye on MacLeod to stay behind the other heavy 'mech, the other on the Crusader.

    The colonel barked: "Keep movin'," as the Crab backpedalled, turning to face the attackers, its own large lasers both missing. "There's got to be at least two more of them!"

    That made sense, the Death Commandos operated in lances of four 'mechs, like everyone else in the Successor States' militaries, a doctrine handed down from the Star League Defense Force.

    Both Death Commandos closed in, looking for the sweet spot where they were close enough to use their short-range missiles and lasers, without being too close for the long-range missiles that were their main arsenal. Most concerningly, they both targeted Kate.

    She yelled and fired her jump-jets as alarms warned her that missiles were inbound. It was the textbook response, but the lasers bit into the armored hide of her Guillotine before she could lift off, doing enough damage that she bobbled and cut the jump short, almost crashing into the back of MacLeod's Gallowglass.

    The error proved fortunate, for the bulk of the LRMs had been aimed high and only a few pattered off the shoulders of her 'mech. That was small consolation when the SRMs tracked unerringly and explosions engulfed her for a moment. Streak missiles, she realized. It was no surprise that the Death Commandos had upgraded.

    MacLeod twisted to cover Kate as she struggled to stay upright. He was able to add his own pulse lasers now and they bit into the Crusader, staying close to the center of mass, while one of his large lasers connected with a shin, shaving away more plating.

    Another wave of LRMs arched up and over the Death Commandos, tracking in on Kate and she didn't even try to return fire, eyeballing the salvo and dodging her 'mech back - successfully avoiding them.

    "Longbow back behind them," one of the Highlanders warned and Kate grimaced. That was a larger 'mech than anything in the lance. While size wasn't everything, the Longbow would have as many missiles as the Crusader and Dervish combined.

    "Keep going, your highness," came a shout and the platoon of Battle Armor caught up, the sixteen of them using their jump-jets to close in on the Death Commandos.

    It was a threat the Capellans had to honor, but they continued to fire at Kate as they re-orientated - LRMs raining down on her and on Colonel MacLeod, who was trying to block some of their lines of sight.

    The Crab and Vindicator maintained their crossfire on the Death Commando 'mechs until the battle armor - those who successfully ran the gauntlet of lasers and SRMs to get to grips - swarmed over the two 'mechs in sight.

    "Move!" ordered MacLeod and the Highlanders broke contact with Kate in their midst. "I think they knew who you were."

    "I put that together," she replied, checking her armor state. Fortunately there had been no penetrations but there was damage all across the front of the Guillotine.

    "Captain Corey has already been drawing more than her share of fire," he continued, revealing that he had been balancing fighting this skirmish with also tracking what was going on across his regiment.

    Kate belatedly checked her map and saw that the Highlanders were forming a more cohesive force, little clusters spreading out to contain the landing. Stragglers were still emerging from hangars, but she could now make out companies operating.

    She tried to match up the outlines on the map with the actual facilities as the four 'mechs ran through the Fort. The spread of Death Commando sightings, now including their own clash, was spreading more in one direction than the others… "Is it just me or are they pushing towards the shelters?" Kate said cautiously.

    MacLeod muttered something she was fairly sure that she wasn't supposed to hear. "They might be."

    The bunkers housing the Highlander's families and - if she had used them, Kate - were intended to hold out against collateral damage but if battlemechs focused their attention on them, it wouldn't take more than a few minutes to penetrate them.

    "Two for one," the colonel continued grimly, "They get you if you were taking shelter there. And even if you're not, Liao gets their revenge on us by attacking our families."

    They reached Mulvaney's position without being intercepted, MacLeod snarling orders the entire time, shifting forces to slow the Death Commandos' advance. The damage done to the Fort was mounting, and Kate had to remind herself that - like NAIS - what was on the surface was mostly superficial. Residential blocks and administration buildings could be rebuilt - the people who usually occupied them were in shelter. Hangars were an only slightly greater loss, the same technicians who worked in them could rebuild them. And the turrets being wrecked as the battle raged were doing as intended.

    Despite all of that, only there were only five confirmed kills of Death Commandos by the time MacLeod's command lance reached Major Mulvaney's battalion, emerging from between a pair of warehouses to find a quartet of black-painted 'mechs tearing into the three survivors of a lance of tartan-trimmed Highlanders.

    The largest of the four Capellans wheeled as they emerged, shifting from giving fire support to its companions. The hash of jamming that squealed across all bands like the bagpipes of the Northwinders explained something of how the Death Commanders were countering friendly sensors - although Kate had to wonder why anyone would put ECM into an Awesome.

    McDonald's Vindicator - Kate had learned his name only in passing as they traveled - caught all four PPCs squarely and the much smaller 'mech twitched and shook under the impacts. Whether it was the bleedover of electromagnetic energy or the kinetic impacts that savaged the Vindicator's chest she was unclear, but the medium 'mech went down immediately.

    Seven large lasers repaid the injury as Kate and her two companions opened up on the assault 'mech with their full armament, McLeod's PPC only barely behind them.

    Slab-like plates of armor shattered under the impact, but they absorbed the hits and the eighty-ton war machine took only a single step backwards under the impact.

    Kate saw the Awesome turn towards her and guessed that she would be prioritized. Already at the back, she side-stepped her Guillotine backwards and it crashed through the brick wall of the warehouse.

    The corner of the building collapsed, parts of the roof crashing down on her cockpit and on the goods she was trampling… but the debris soaked up the bulk of the fury being directed at her.

    Four PPCs, that's a new variant, she thought and jabbed her extended range large laser out like a lance. The heat of firing was manageable for her, but the Awesome wasn't glowing on thermals the way it should be if it was using that many PPCs. It must have an augmented cooling system like her own.

    Or like MacLeod's Gallowglas. The colonel advanced, firing furiously, and Hogan clung to his flank, the Crab dwarfed by the two much larger war machines.

    Kate charged after them. The Awesome couldn't possibly be using extended range PPCs. If it were, the heat of two full barrages would have built up too much heat for it to be still firing. That meant that it would have the usual vulnerability of 'mechs armed with the weapons: that the particle beams were incoherent and of limited effect at point-blank range.

    That was not a problem suffered with the lasers that she and the Highlanders were using. Even so, it took time for them to close in and the Death Commando continued back away, lengthening the distance that needed to be crossed.

    He was stagger-firing the PPCs now, evidently needing to manage his heat. One shot zeroed in on the Guillotine and tore through the armor of her right arm, penetrating into the myomer fibers that moved the limb.

    A second shot went wild as a shot from MacLeod's own PPC tore across the arm being fired from, digging a gouge into the armor and causing the limb to shake as the myomers twitched uncontrollably under the electromagnetic discharge.

    Then a third took out the searchlight mounted above the Guillotine's cockpit…

    Hogan speared the Awesome just above the waist with both large lasers and this time even the legendarily thick armor of the eighty ton battlemech wasn't enough. Kate saw fluid leaking from the side of its chest, coolant fluid escaping before valves could isolate that part of the system.

    Out of the corner of her eyes she saw the other three Death Commandos trying to turn upon her. A Vindicator, a Raven and one of the Confederation's new Snake medium 'mechs. But the Blackjack and the pair of Vindicators in Highlander colors poured on the fire, forcing the Capellans to keep their best armor and therefore their main weapons pointed at the defenders.

    A few submunitions from the Snake's autocannon rattled off of the Guillotine and then she was close enough to engage the Awesome with everything she had.

    The medium lasers barely grazed the 'mech, the penetration may have thrown the right arm's control off, but her lasers skewered the massive target and she saw one of the PPCs cut to pieces before her SRM launcher spat out four missiles that spiraled towards the Awesome. Only one hit, the warheads' tracking heads affected by the heavier 'mech's electronic countermeasures.

    MacLeod and Hogan had added their own medium lasers too - heedless of heat, they stripped away more and more protection from the Awesome.

    Perhaps realizing he had to cut down their numerical advantage, the Death Commando shifted fire to Hogan and his three remaining PPCs fired at near optimum range. The sizzling beams of energy crackled across the range connecting them and Kate saw that all three crashed into the Crab's right leg, just below the knee.

    The leg was severed outright and the needle-nosed 'mech almost impaled itself on the ground, Hogan barely managing to avoid smashing the cockpit first into the ferrocrete.

    With a gaelic warcry, MacLeod fired his jump jets and the Gallowglas hurled itself skywards, trying for that most infamous of battlemech close quarters tactics, one that had earned its nickname 'the Highlander burial' from the man's own regiment (or so they had boasted at a regimental dinner, just three days ago. Kate had some reservations about the claim).

    The Death Commando wasn't caught by the tactic though. He side-stepped and MacLeod landed heavily, 'mech already staggering before a sweep of one of the long barrelled PPCs smashed into the back of the seventy-tonner and drove it to its knees.

    Kate fired again, sparing only the extended range heat in order to reduce the broiling heat of her cockpit. Beam after beam of coherent light stabbed into the Awesome, but none of them seemed to find the titan's vitals.

    The Death Commando turned back towards her from the fallen Highlander colonel but before it could try to use its PPCs at this range - chancy but potentially enough against her already damaged armor - Kate was in arm's length, the extended range laser of the left arm held horizontal like a lance.

    The muzzle of the laser crashed through the cockpit glass of the Awesome and presumably the man inside. The end of her right arm twisted and then snapped as the assault 'mech fell backwards, taking half the extended range laser with it.

    Kate gasped for breath and then her Guillotine staggered as the Snake broke free of the battle, having brought down the Vindicator facing it. Cannon roared and the impacts against her 'mech's right side shook the princess against her restraints. She dropped the heavy 'mech to one knee rather than fall entirely, bracing with the damaged arm as more Streak SRMs descended, pummeling her.

    Beside her, MacLeod reared up, Gallowglas' weapons ripping into the rear of the enemy Vindicator before it could turn. The gyro was shattered by the salvo and the Death Commando's mech fell like a puppet off its strings. That freed up its opponent to join the fight, but either the Awesome's jamming was still in effect or the Raven's own suite was the one blocking the comms for the Highlander chose to join his lancemate in hammering the lightest 'mech present.

    It made tactical sense, reducing the battle to a pair of two-on-one engagements, but Kate would have selfishly preferred the Highlander to help her, or at least his own colonel!

    The Snake wove through her fire and MacLeod's - their lasers lighting up the battlefield but doing little damage to the smaller and more agile 'mech. The autocannon that made up its right arm smashed hard into the Gallowglas and it followed up with more SRMs. Four of the six tubes launched and every one of them crashed against the Highlander, whose cursing was almost drowned out by the jamming even at this range.

    Kate had a better idea of the Snake's movements now and this time she managed to hit it with both her medium lasers, carving the Capellan crest off the right side of its chest. Her sensors couldn't tell her how hard it was hit, but she doubted that there was much protection left there - what intelligence had been gathered on the design said that it was not the most heavily armed 'mech.

    MacLeod also landed hits from both his pulse lasers, which scored damage across the hips and thighs, and his ER PPC which came close to hitting the cockpit. Indeed, he might have finished the fight there and then if the Snake hadn't flung up its left arm in time, shielding the mechwarrior inside at the low cost of major damage to a limb that carried no weapons.

    A warning went up from Kate's sensors and she glanced aside at the tactical display. Despite all the interference, her Guillotine was still able to pick up and decipher what was going on behind her - away from the Raven's formidable electronic warfare capabilities.

    "Battle armor behind her!" she warned MacLeod.

    His response was immediate: "Advance!"

    They had both been battered, there was every chance that if anti-mech infantry swarmed them they would find weak spots to exploit. And clad in battle armor it would take multiple shots to stop any one of the Capellan infantry - except perhaps shots from the colonel's ER PPC.

    Advancing brought them closer to the Snake and it shifted fire, this time firing cluster rounds from its autocannon - and all six SRMs fired.

    The impacts were scattered all across the Guillotine, one of the submunitions detonating against the armorglass of Kate's canopy, rocking her against her restraints. Fortunately the explosion only cracked the glass, rather than breaching it, but it was all Kate could do to stay upright. Her return went wildly off target… and to make matters worse, the parade ground where they were fighting was rocked by an explosion as the Highlander's Blackjack exploded in a fireball under the fire of the Raven - an impressive feat by the mechwarrior in the light 'mech, but for her part Kate had no intention of praising them.

    The battle armor forces were closing in rapidly and Kate forced the Guillotine back on course, raising the left arm of the 'mech to shield herself from cockpit hits as best she could.

    "Look out!" roared MacLeod as the Snake took off like a rocket, jump jets hurling it into an arc that Kate saw too late would lead to it descending upon her.

    The blonde tried to stop, but she had too much momentum. Tried to shoot it down but her medium lasers barely clipped the Snake and the torso mounted weapons could not elevate high enough… She thought to use her own jump jets but it was too late -

    Lightning smashed into the rear armor of the Snake, outlining it in actinic blues and then thunder hammered into it.

    More than forty tons of battlemech smashed down and hit the Guillotine off-center and lower than had been planned, the right side of the Snake exploding as the ammunition stored inside detonated. Knocked flat on its back, Kate's 'mech would have taken the brunt but cellular storage vented the worst of the fury out of the Snake's rear.

    It was still more than enough to gut the reactor, and the 'mech sprawled on top of Kate's, pinning her in place.

    She was working the controls, trying to push the wreck off her when a shadow loomed over her. The hunched over menace of a Marauder II assault 'mech, larger and even more formidable than the Awesome she and MacLeod had felled.

    And it had tartan trim along its flank.

    "Be off with you," Major Chastity Mulvaney demanded and her 'mech's guns spoke again. The twin ER PPCs slashed over Kate and in the direction of the oncoming battle armor. Then her autocannon - the thunder from earlier - spoke sharply.

    The Capellans thought better of continuing their advance, a decision perhaps forced on them as the Raven found itself delimbed by the fire of a Panther and a Wolfhound.

    With the death of the light mech, the jamming lifted and Kate could see the broader picture.

    The battle raged on, but the Highlanders were coalescing into a contiguous wall across the Fort, blocking the Death Commandos from their families. And behind the dark blot of Capellan forces, royal blue icons marked hover cav elements from the NAIS Cadre, sweeping in to threaten the Death Commando's chance of retreat to where their dropships had now grounded themselves.

    "If they are wise," MacLeod murmured, pulling his Gallowglas upright, "they will retreat."

    Mulvaney kicked the wreck of the Snake off Kate's mech and stepped back to let her rise.

    Her 'mech was a mess, she thought. But she was alive. "Their orders may be do or die," Kate warned.

    It was the Northwind major who closed out that topic of conversation: "Then they will die," Mulvaney said with the same certainty as if she was commenting that Tara's misty climate could be a bit damp.


    Chapter 43

    Mount Asgard, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    20 November 3057

    "It's a risk, Morgan." Victor forced himself to keep his voice even.

    "Yes," his cousin agreed. "And I admit, we could have deployed them elsewhere. But Callison is the one first wave target not to fall yet. As long as it holds out, that's something that Thomas Marik's opponents can point to. And you are right that relieving it will force him to consider his flanks."

    On the display, the map of Callison showed updated positions for the Eleventh Lyran Guards. They were better than Victor had expected: more of the RCT had survived than estimates had suggested. But also worse, because they were clinging to a handful of holdouts.

    He exhaled. "And you are right too. The Eleventh cannot reasonably hold out until the task force is ready. Not without reinforcements."

    There was another change to the map: a landing zone that marked a fresh brigade of Federated Commonwealth troops had landed, not far from where Hauptmann Trevana's force was operating. An influx of fresh supplies would mean a lot to the vocal officer, and that would hopefully be reflected in his morale-boosting messages… although he would also be given a new codebook to use.

    Sabine Steiner's Tenth Skye Rangers weren't enough to turn the tide alone, but they represented a threat that the FWLM would have to concentrate their forces to counter. At least one of their own brigades would be needed, more sensibly two and that would leave only a third of their force to hold onto what they had conquered. With pressure on them relaxed, the Lyran Guards would be able to take the initiative, taking back outposts and undermining the occupation government.

    "General Steiner is very good," Morgan reassured her. "And she's prepared for a mobile campaign. In the worst case, she will disperse her forces to reinforce the Lyran Guards."

    "No," the Archon-Prince disagreed. "The worst case is that I fail to relieve them and we just sent more troops into a trap. We aren't the only ones who can reinforce a world." He expanded the map - shrinking the globe of Callison to just one more planet on an ocean of stars. "If I were Thomas, I would have used the Sirian Lancers for that by now."

    "I don't believe the Lancers are still there," his great-aunt declared flatly. "Or if so, it is a rearguard presenting the image of more strength."

    Victor looked at the markings of the two technically provincial units in question and then gave her a questioning look. "Your reasoning?"

    She pointed at two systems hovering almost next to Terra. "We have had no responses from Sirius or Procyon in days. Who else would take those worlds back?"

    "Nothing?" It made sense that the Sirian Lancers would be used for such an operation, Sirius' two barely habitable worlds and Procyon combined were half of the province that the Lancers represented - a province that had ceased to exist during the Fourth Succession War. But worlds falling silent was unusual. At the very least, ComStar should be acknowledging receipt of the messages.

    Morgan raised an eyebrow. "That is concerning, but a FWLM invasion shouldn't stop that. We're still hearing from worlds like Callison - or even those like Denebola that have fallen."

    "Marik's Blakist allies must have tried to take over the HPGs and," Nondi snapped her fingers, "They were destroyed in the fighting."

    "That would be an escalation of tensions with ComStar," the younger but more senior Field Marshal mused, but he did not seem to be dismissing the idea. "I doubt either they or the Blakists would want their precious HPGs damaged."

    "A failed plan," the aged warrior asserted. "If they could pull it off then rather than negotiating for the handover of the HPGs per the agreement made in 3052, they would expand it to every world they take and silence officers like Trevana."

    "We should be glad it failed then," the Archon-Prince decided. "Still, it's just a theory. There could be something else going on. I can't help but remember worlds falling silent as the Clans invaded."

    "I doubt that it's the Clans, Victor."

    "Most likely not," he agreed. "Still, we need to know. Those two worlds are right next to Terra. It reduces the corridor to a thread… if Kathy hadn't held onto Northwind and Caph, we wouldn't even have that much. I still can't believe she had to fight the Death Commandos in her first real battle."

    Morgan chuckled and said nothing.

    Reminded that Morgan Hasek-Davion's own first battle had been against the Death Commandos as well, Victor felt his ears warm. "And diverting the Third Royal Guards paid off for us. The uprisings there could have gotten ugly."

    "Luck," Nondi said, the word derisive.

    "I hope you're right," Victor said solemnly. "We could do with a little."

    "As long as we don't count on it," Morgan allowed cautiously. "We have some scout ships in Skye, shall I have one sent to check on those worlds?" Scout-class jumpships, with only a single collar to carry dropships, were the province of small traders and military raids, but reconnaissance was another role - just as the name suggested.

    "Cautiously," he agreed. "We don't have so many that we can lose them. And I can't ask for jumpships out of Sarna." He hadn't realized until the numbers were brought to his attention that almost seventy percent of the military fleet was operating on this side of the Terran Corridor. It was challenging him for him to arrange the shipping for the relief forces - Kathy's operations to stabilize the region were being done on a shoestring.

    Nondi snorted. "I'm sure knowing you care about them will make all the difference," she threw back over her shoulder as she stumped back towards the offices.

    Both Victor and Morgan stared after her and then exchanged looks.

    "How do you feel about Caesar Steiner for her post?" Victor asked quietly. "I thought he wasn't serious enough, but maybe I'm being too critical."

    Morgan rubbed his chin and then nodded. "We get along. I never thought I'd be saying this, but he's settled into his rank. It's not as he was ever a bad commander either…"

    "No, he just played as hard as he worked," the Archon-Prince judged his playboy cousin. "I'll see if we can get him back here before I leave then. At this rate, I fear for Aunt Nondi's blood pressure."

    "I think her staff would prefer that you fear for them," the Marshal of Armies quipped in a low voice.

    "Sir," an officer called. "Marshal Hasek-Davion… we have a priority report."

    "Bring it over then," Victor called back.

    "A-Archon," the man stammered, having apparently not seen the house lord, who had been behind Morgan Hasek-Davion's imposing bulk from the direction he was approaching..

    "Just give us the report," he said with a sigh.

    "Sir." The officer saluted sharply and handed over a print-out. "A fleet of Clan Wolf warships and jumpships have entered the Commonwealth in the Morges system."

    The room fell deadly silent.

    Victor glanced down at the paper. "And asked for sanctuary, it seems." It was a good thing he'd read the top lines of the message or he might have overreacted. "Please send a reply to Morges, informing Khan Phelan W… Khan Phelan Kell that we grant his petition for sanctuary." There had to be quite a story behind his identifying himself as Kell rather than using the Ward bloodname. "In exchange for his Clan's military support against the Clans." Then he paused, thinking of his sister. "Make that military and technological support."

    "Good thought," Morgan murmured approvingly. "You've only just managed to get rid of Ryan Steiner's faction. There's no need to incite Katherine into treasonable thoughts like beating you over the head with a wrench."
     
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    • Chapter 44

    Yang-ku, Nanking
    Sarna March, Federated Commonwealth
    19 December 3057

    Field Marshal David Sandoval looked like hell. Bandages still covered much of his face, and the cast around his left arm was too light to hide the fact that half of that hand was gone. He returned Kate's salute with the other hand, wincing slightly at raising his arm, and then lowered his hand back to the controls of his wheelchair.

    "Don't get too excited, your highness," he said, and there was a twinkle in his eye. "I know I look like I've made a perfect recovery, but I'm afraid my topknot hasn't grown back in yet. It will be a few more weeks before the doctors sign off on my taking on even administrative duties."

    Kate couldn't help but return the smile. David Sandoval might look a lot like his brother, but he had an easy charm that she admired. He, like her, had grown up as the spare rather than the heir, and on his occasional visits to New Avalon, they had got along well. "I can barely tell," she lied.

    "I look far better than some of my staff," Sandoval replied, and the mask slipped - there was anger beneath the smile. "Not to mention quite a number of other senior officers. We owe Chancellor Liao a reckoning."

    "I don't disagree," Kate acknowledged. "It will take some time, but we will not forget."

    The Field Marshal nodded heavily, and she could see the fatigue now. See the lack of energy. She had seen recovering patients at NAIS and while she was no doctor, she had some idea of how long it would take to recover from such severe injuries. Weeks meant at least a month, maybe more than one.

    "I wanted to thank you," he continued. "I am not surprised that you stepped up - you are a Steiner-Davion. But I am grateful. I think it is important to say that. My men needed leadership, and you provided it."

    "It was the least I could do."

    Sandoval shook his head. "You could have returned to New Avalon, led the efforts from there as the viceroy and that would have been just your duty. You went beyond that. Let no one say you are a lesser officer than your brother was."

    Kate shook her head. "I fought in one battle and did little enough."

    "You saw to it that we have won others," he disagreed. "And you extracted units that might otherwise have been lost. Leading attacks, whether you take the field or not, is harder than holding troops together in a retreat. Without you we could have lost a dozen commands I could list. Instead, I hear they are here and at other rallying points - refitting, getting replacement soldiers. I have not been able to visit them, but I still know their commanders and I can read their mood from the reports the doctors let me read. They are ready to fight - we have not lost yet."

    That was putting a brave face on it, in Kate's opinion. Perhaps he had to though.

    Rather than disagreeing, she gestured at the wall. "It's chaos."

    "War always is," Sandoval told her. He looked at the map on the wall, the worlds it had been his responsibility to defend. Kate knew what he was seeing.

    Sarna itself was lost - not even to the Capellans. The Kaifeng SMM had rallied to a local governor with much the same idea Pierre Benton had tried on Epsilon Eridani. Reinforced by cadets from the academy on Sarna and now by mercenaries, the Sarna Supremacy claimed three worlds now, along with the name of the pre-Capellan Confederation realm that had governed worlds from Campertown to Goshen. The new realm wasn't a tenth that, not yet - and she was sure that Sun-Tzu Liao had no more intention than she did of allowing that. But the Chancellor was in a position to do something about it, while the mighty Federated Commonwealth was not.

    "We haven't seen something like this since the Fourth Succession War," the Field Marshal considered. "Perhaps not even then - Janos Marik pulling out of the Terran corridor is the parallel I was thinking of, but we were able to take hold of those worlds. "If the Capellans could do that, they would be - and the number of unaligned worlds right now means that they can't."

    "That's what I'm advised," Kate confirmed. "His people on Outreach and even Galatea are trying to hire up mercs to let him push harder but a lot of the small units are being signed up with new governments. Harlech's Hiring Hall was insane."

    Sandoval looked over at her. "You went there?"

    She shook her head. "Not personally. I spent all my time there convincing Maeve Wolf that the Dragoons are required to hold Outreach as part of the Federated Commonwealth and that going independent would invalidate their claim."

    "I have nothing but admiration for your ability to persuade her of that," the wounded Marshal admitted. "The Dragoons have always been… difficult. And walking away with two regiments under contract even then."

    "Northwind was good practice. I hate to blame father for this but some of the deals he struck are coming back to haunt us."

    Sandoval smiled sadly. "Hindsight is always easier. I wasn't part of the planning then, but I doubt that this situation was considered at the time. Every generation inherits what they see as obvious oversights by the last. Hanse - or even Ian, I suspect - likely had to wonder why their father and grandfather had spent so much time building up relations with the Free Worlds League when the Lyran alliance was so rewarding as an alternative."

    "Victor's eventual children will no doubt wonder what we were thinking."

    "Yes, I promise that they will. That's life, I'm afraid."

    Kate had to wonder how long it would be before Victor moved on from his feelings for Omi Kurita. His plans to lead the reinforcements put him at risk, but she had a feeling it might lead to him reconnecting to soldiers his own age. Perhaps he'd meet someone more politically acceptable. The only women in his age bracket at Tharkad were husband-hunters and there were few things the Inner Sphere's most eligible bachelor found less appealing than young women chasing the consort's crown.

    "I realize you're not ready to take over, but I would appreciate your opinion on my immediate plans," she said, taking up a pointer. Sandoval would have to take over those plans, so if he didn't agree then she would be well advised to change them now.

    He backed up his wheelchair and turned for a slightly better view. "I would be pleased to."

    "With the loss of Corey, we don't really have any rallying points in the Palos operational area," Kate began. The rimwards end of the Sarna March, the one closest to the Capellan March. Palos itself was somewhere in the morass of independent worlds, some of them still fighting over who the planetary government would be. "The Sarna Supremacy's position makes them a bulwark that's complicating Capellan logistics in trying to take worlds between Sarna and Bell."

    Bell was part of the Capellan March but she'd had to pull regiments back there for stable and secure basing. "Right now, the region is a three-way contest between ourselves, the Capellans and Sarna. We're not going to win it, but the longer it goes on, the better our position will be. We don't just have to take over the governments, the Zhanzeng de Guang, their imitators and their rivals using the same tactics that are the biggest problem."

    Kate indicated three worlds near Bell. "We've got a hold on Jonathan, Footfall and Highspire - not perfect but the tide is in our favor." Then she traced a line. "If we can do the same for Shipka, St. Andre and Shenshi then we have something resembling a defensive line to halt Capellan efforts into the Chesterton and Tikonov regions."

    "Resembling," Sandoval said with a hint of bitterness.

    She nodded. "There's no real lines in space, but having those worlds strongly held will make for bases that Sun-Tzu can't ignore. New Aragon will need to serve as our staging area for operations there - and for the worlds behind that line. We can't ignore them, but as long as they don't become bases for Capellan's to bypass our defenses they're a lower priority."

    "Diplomacy may work," the Marshal suggested. "Find factions there that remain loyal and send them supplies and support - even a company of 'mechs might be able to tip the balance there in favor."

    Kate nodded, then indicated two more worlds. "Gan Singh and Styk have formed a defensive pact, the Styk Commonality. I'd love to take Styk and its 'mech factories but the best I can say right now is that they're a brake upon the Capellans and the Mariks." She paused and then added: "Unless Thomas Marik turns to diplomacy himself."

    "Offering them provincial status?" asked Sandoval. At her nod, he reached up with another wince and ran his one intact hand over his scalp. "It depends how threatened they feel. And the same for Saiph, I suppose?" Another little cluster of worlds who had banded together.

    "Liao will want them all," she said. "Marik may not wish to offend his future son-in-law. And then there is our biggest concern." Kate used the pointer to indicate the world that shared its name with the ruling house of the Capellan Confederation."

    "Liao," Sandoval recognised, his voice a growl. "Do you believe we can reclaim it?"

    "Seven of the Warrior Houses landed there," Kate replied. "It's not impossible, but we would need a large force and for now we need our troops elsewhere. Before I even consider it, we have to worry about Zurich - there's a force of the Crater Cobras there supporting a Zhanzeng de Guang-backed government. They are sending support to Nanking, where we are in a better position."

    "I agree with you in principle," the Marshal agreed. "Secure defensive positions and we can hopefully clear out the worlds behind them once we don't have to worry about losing what we already hold. Once the Archon-Prince arrives, we will have more forces to work with."


    Chapter 45

    Mount Asgard, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    31 January 3058

    The septic green of Clan Jade Falcon pierced the map of the Federated Commonwealth.

    That had been the case for years now, but since Tukayyid no more worlds had fallen to the Clans' talons. That couldn't be said now, and the blow hadn't fallen against the fortified and garrisoned worlds that lined the border.

    "What do we know?" Caesar Steiner asked evenly as Victor studied the display. The young - comparatively, he was Reinhart's father - general had only just arrived on Tharkad. There hadn't been time yet for him to take over from Nondi. In fact, Victor had had no chance yet to break the news to his aunt that her replacement had been decided.

    The commander of the Lyran State Command wasn't even here yet - she and Morgan Hasek-Davion had been spelling each other, twelve hours on and twelve off, for weeks as preparations were made to deal with the threat to the Terran Corridor.

    Morgan was beginning to show the signs of strain at that, lines deeper on his face. Even a touch of white at his temples that hadn't been there until… Well, not since Victor's accession to the throne. "The Jade Falcons hit without warning. The worlds are well behind the frontlines and only have militias protecting them."

    Engadine was shown as having probably fallen by now - the last news was long enough ago that the outcome was predictable. Neerabup and Willunga had been hit next and Victor suspected that the latter world had also fallen, although Neerabup was a little better defended. It was only a matter of time though. As for Bucklands, the only news was that Jade Falcon jumpships had arrived, but the pattern was unmistakable.

    "How are they doing this?" he asked. "Our projections were that Clan Wolf had done so much damage that the Jade Falcons would be recovering for months yet."

    "We have a possible answer for that," the representative of the Intelligence Secretariat reported. Curaitis had been heavily involved in the hunt for evidence to convict Ryan Steiner and his promotion had been a reward for that. He still looked as if he would rather be in the field, to Victor - although the Archon-Prince suspected he might be projecting his own feelings. "Our latest reports from Wotan have taken time to arrive," the man added, before anyone could ask why his information hadn't been made available until now. "But there is evidence that Clan Jade Falcon has absorbed much of the Wolves' surviving military strength. It's possible that this also includes their territory."

    "They were just clawing each other to death a few weeks ago," muttered Caesar. "I can't see them working smoothly together."

    "It's almost entirely speculative," Curaitis said, "But this expedition might be intended to bond them with the Jade Falcons against a mutual foe."

    Victor wished Phelan was here to consult, but they had a considerable amount of data on the Clans now. "What exactly was reported?"

    The spy checked his noteputer. "Clan Wolf equipment was being repainted by work gangs into Jade Falcon colors, and the Jade Falcon leader made a grand ceremony out of cutting the bondcords of several individuals whose names match senior officers within Clan Wolf - mostly Star Colonels but at least one Galaxy Commander."

    Caesar nodded in understanding. "It would make a great deal of sense on a purely military basis," he said. "Both Clans are depleted by their conflict, not to mention Phelan Kell's defection to us. Combining their strength might be as much about warding off threats from the other Clans as anything else."

    Victor leant over the map. "They're still using that strength against us. And we have limited options to counter them."

    Morgan nodded. "We already stripped what we could from the frontlines to deal with the Free Worlds League. Of course, if the bulk of the Jade Falcon strength is here then it's possible we can afford to move more regiments away…"

    "If." The Archon-Prince shook his head. "The Steel Vipers are still there and as far as we can tell they're unscathed. Do we have any indications that a new ilKhan has been appointed?"

    Curaitis frowned. "Not clearly. There was a Grand Kurultai scheduled on Wotan but we do not have reports yet of anything being announced - news could be on our way, but if so it has not arrived. We also have no reports yet of other Clans' leadership setting out."

    "They might be meeting by HPG proxy," Morgan speculated. "We know they make much more liberal use of HPGs for real time communication than ComStar does."

    "So we don't know."

    "If an IlKhan had been appointed, news would likely have reached worlds nearer to us quite rapidly," the spy noted. "At least, I would expect the Jade Falcons to be celebrating if their leader was elected. We have no reports of that, and having defeated Ulric Kerensky, it seems likely that Khan Crichell would have been a leading candidate. Our profile on him suggests that he would make much of such an achievement."

    Victor exhaled slowly. "The Truce of Tukayyid is effectively a dead letter then. The Jade Falcons might just be the first Clan to move - although why they'd hit us out there, I do not know."

    Caesar joined him at the table and reached into the holographic display. "Perhaps it is just what it looks like," he said. "They have outflanked us. Look at where their line of advance will take them."

    The four worlds in question formed an irregular diamond, elongated with the first to he struck nearest to the periphery and Bucklands the deepest inside the Commonwealth. Victor watched his cousin's finger trace the direction of travel further, past other worlds that to him were little more than names on the map even if they were home to millions of his citizens. But soon the finger found something more substantial. "Coventry." One of the most important industrial worlds of the Commonwealth.

    "And beyond it, if we assume the truceline is not restraint." Caesar's finger continued until it pointed at another world. The world they all stood upon. "Tharkad. Unless we hear otherwise, I must assume that the Jade Falcons are coming here."

    Morgan folded his arms. "I cannot argue with that. I hope you are wrong, but in that case we must stop them. Tharkad isn't just the capital. Beyond its political and economic might, it's at a key junction in logistical routes: almost every major jumpship lane in this half of the Lyran Commonwealth goes through this system or those around it."

    The Archon-Prince closed his eyes wearily. "If we cannot afford to pull back from the Tamar March then we have only one option for where to pull a response force from." His eyes went to the cluster of regiments that was assembling near the border between Donegal and Skye, preparing to move up en masse to relieve Callison.

    There was ripple of concern from around the room and Victor turned, looking around. "I don't like the idea. If anyone has any alternatives, however junior you are, then speak up. But Thomas Marik has offered me an armistice - a negotiated settlement that recognises most of his gains. If I use the task force we've spent the last weeks assembling to fight him then we may lose Coventry or even Tharkad."

    No one said anything.

    "I am open to any reasonable alternative," he continued. "I will be breaking promises made to those already fighting in the Terran Corridor if I take Marik's terms. I do not want to do this. But -"

    "I see no other way," Caesar Steiner said quietly. His words were audible. "Your highness, I volunteer to lead those regiments to Coventry. We can have them there before the Jade Falcons arrive, unless they ignore every world in their path."

    Morgan walked to the table, circling it, eyes on the display as if viewing it from another angle would open up another option. Then he shook his head. "I am sorry, Victor. I believe you are right. And if that is the case…"

    "Then I need Thomas Marik's agreement now. He will learn of this attack soon," Victor pointed out. "His terms will be harsher once he knows we are facing another attack, one from the other flank."

    And still, no one else was able to come up with a realistic alternative. Or if they did, they did not voice it.

    Victor nodded. "The responsibility is mine." Surely the blame will be. "Morgan, get our forces moving back towards Coventry. Caesar, I appreciate your offer but I need you here. I will lead the task force personally. That was always my plan, and I am as prepared to fight Clan Jade Falcon as anyone else would be."

    Also, Kathy had handed over control of the Sarna March back to David Sandoval a week ago. She was on her way back to New Avalon - if things went disastrously, she would be in a secure position to salvage whatever could be done from the wreckage. The last few months had proven she had the ability to do so.

    He turned to leave and then paused. "Morgan, we never heard back from the spyship we sent to Sirius?"

    Morgan grimaced. "No."

    "Something is up there. The Marik offer seems to be on the assumption that we control those worlds. Since he hasn't asked for them, we may be in a fractionally better position than we thought. I'll try to get him to drop Callison from his claims, but if he doesn't have those worlds, I'd rather not lose those worlds to whoever does."


    Chapter 46

    Avalon City, New Avalon
    Coventry March, Federated Commonwealth
    3 February 3058

    The command circuit back from Terra Firma had taken its toll on Kate and she'd slept only fitfully as the shuttle made its approach to New Avalon. The last jump had been aboard a Merchant jumpship scheduled to carry wounded soldiers to the NAIS College of Medicine for treatments they could not receive anywhere else. Rather than bump the dropships, a small shuttle had been crammed into the jumpship's hangar. Her 'mech and all but a small escort would wait for a later jumpship.

    The traffic through the proximity point between New Avalon and its star was heavily regulated, but it cut the transit time to the surface to hours rather than days. The only closer options were the points created by the capital's three moons and their own interactions made those too hazardous for regular use.

    Two gravities of acceleration would have been ill-advised for the wounded, so their dropships would take more than a day to arrive. Kate felt that the short-term pain of the experience was worth it - a chance to get home and rest in her own bed before what would no doubt be a busy schedule of catching up with everything she'd missed.

    The roar of superheated air around the shuttle died down and the princess was able to look out of the window at the landscape below as the shuttle rolled and began its final deceleration burn, angling down towards Castle Davion. Much like most working dropships, the small vessel was a roughly globular shape, mounted above the engines. The upper hull made up the heat shield for re-entry but now that they were coming in to land, she could see the fields and forests below, giving way to the sprawling capital city - great towers, open campuses, the mansions of the wealthy and the factories and warehouses needed to make the entire complex metropolis function, the whole knit together by highways and a network of elevated railways.

    Castle Davion rose above it all, as it had for centuries. The deliberately archaic structures with their gothic architecture and vast size were inimitable, immortalized for years on bank notes as well as every conceivable form of recording.

    The shuttle settled towards one of the small pads on the edge of the drop port. It didn't need quite as much clearance as a dropship would, but it was still a fusion torch being pointed at the ground.

    "Your highness." The hauptmann leading her escort platoon leant over as far as he could given seat constraints. "Your sister is waiting for you at the terminal."

    Kate smiled with some relief. "Of course she is." Probably to make some reasonable complaints about the delays in returning. She'd never intended to leave Yvonne handling the public duties as long as she had.

    The shuttle touched down, the sound of the engines fading and as soon as it was deemed safe, Kate unstrapped herself and picked up the small bag that was her only luggage. She didn't need to carry much with her - most of her possessions would either catch up shortly or were already waiting for her at Castle Davion - so it was just an overnight bag. "I'll carry it myself," she told the officer when he reached for it. "You're already busy keeping me safe."

    "If you say so, your highness."

    "You are senior to me, so I suppose you could insist," she joked and then took her place in the middle of the queue of guardsmen ready to disembark. She wore the same duty uniform as the rest of the Davion Guards so she wouldn't stand out if there really was a threat waiting.

    By the time she was at the hatch, bright afternoon sun making her wish she'd brought sunglasses, a limousine was screaming across the ferrocrete towards them - moving fast enough that the leading elements of the platoon were even taking defensive positions until the aircar skidded to a halt - the driver expertly bringing it up to the line marking how close any vehicle should approach.

    The door swung open and Yvonne leant out. "Kate!"

    "Yvonne!" she called back, smiling and waving. Then the gesture faltered as she saw her sister's face. "What's wrong?"

    The redhead climbed out, waving a newspaper. "Politics!" she exclaimed.

    Kate crossed to her and accepted the broadsheet, unfolding it to see the front page. Then she said a number of things that Mom would have scrubbed her mouth out with soap and water for. Personally, not even handing the job over to staff.

    "Yeah," Yvonne agreed, rather than teasing her.

    The main headline was explosive. 'STEINER-KURITA ROMANCE?!' it shouted. And below it, taking up almost half the page was an image of their oldest brother talking to Omi Kurita. It must have been taken years ago… at Dad's funeral? Perhaps even earlier - on Outreach. She wasn't sure.

    But the expressions on their faces were perfectly clear. The photographer had done a wonderful job of capturing the feelings between them.

    If there was nothing else, that would have been damning, but the story below wasn't just speculation on that one fact. No, someone had talked. Someone close to the royal family. Someone who was able to give far too much information about the relationship between Victor and Omi. And yet, at the same time, they gave too little.

    Meetings, kept discreet to avoid this sort of attention. Those were mentioned.

    But the understandings that those meetings must be entirely chaste were not. The reality that this Romeo and Juliet had no intention of letting their feelings destroy them was not touched on. Instead, the delicately woven gaps left room to imagine a fairy-tale romance that was well on its way to 'sealing the deal' of a dynastic marriage.

    Oh, nothing was clearly said. Everything was speculation. Some of it was even couched sympathetically. Not that it mattered.

    It wasn't even some tawdry tabloid. The Inquirer was a reputable paper, one of the mainstays of conservative political discussion on New Avalon. And this was the morning's paper.

    "How bad," Kate asked simply, tossing the paper back to her sister.

    Yvonne caught it. "There haven't been riots… but there is already a demonstration outside the gates. Victor canceling the reinforcements to Skye was the -"

    "He what?" She had been out of contact for less than three days!

    Her sister made a face. "The Jade Falcons are hitting Coventry Province, so he's negotiating an armistice with Thomas Marik. That's what the demonstration was about, but they're going to have more things to put on placards now."

    The sun was no longer the sole cause of Kate's headache. "Welcome home, Kate…" she said. "Dammit, Victor!"

    She got a hug from Yvonne. "Welcome home." And then: "The High Council is meeting right now. Those who didn't go home."

    The elder sister nodded wearily. Many of the High Council had arranged to prolong their usual autumn visits to the capital in hope of attending a Christmas coronation. Even once it became evident that this wouldn't be the case, inertia had kept most of them on New Avalon. But… "How many of them?"

    "I think they have a quorum." Yvonne gestured towards the limousine. "Uncle Hammond and Uncle James are trying to keep them from doing anything rash but I think they might need help."

    Kate threw her bag inside and climbed in after. The High Council dated back to the foundation of the Federated Suns, a legislative body that had elected the first Davion Presidents. Presidents and then First Princes had had to work with the High Council, but the Succession Wars had demanded greater centralization of power to direct a war effort that lasted for generations. The High Council met every year and approved the decisions of the First Prince with little dissent.

    But in theory they did not have to. They were the voices of the planetary governments of every member world in the Federated Suns and exactly how much power they had in the Federated Commonwealth was a very fuzzy issue.

    It was a point Kate was left musing over as the limousine took off for the great hall of the castle at top speed. The paved roadway rushed by underneath them, various landmarks going by in a blur that was only partly due to her distraction by political calculations. Yvonne gave name after name of those present and even just the key leaders made it clear that more than a few of those attending were those who had complained about Victor's policies in the past.

    The journey was over entirely too soon, the limousine arriving at one of the side entrances to the grand structure. Kate hopped out, wishing she was dressed slightly more formally than a duty uniform. Then again, it might play well. The Suns was traditionally very favorably inclined towards it's soldiers.

    The sisters passed sentries at the main door, then Kate led the way through the network of side rooms until she arrived at one of the discreetly placed entrances to the main dais. There were guards here as well, two men in the First Davion Royal Guards. They saluted crisply as she approached and Kate returned the gesture before she opened the door.

    The great hall was full. Seating had been laid out, as was customary for a council meeting, and Kate reflexively counted each full row as she went up the three steps onto the dais. A quorum? There were something close to three hundred attendees - and the 'public' seats behind and in the galleries were completely full of those who lacked a vote but had the connections or other status to get in.

    Horatio DuVall was standing at the front of the dais, calling for order and he turned slightly as the sisters stepped forward, Kate heading for the viceroy's throne. If the speaker was having trouble then perhaps she could -

    The Duke of Argyle had been at DuVall's side, but as Kate approached, J Hammond Davion turned and to her astonishment, he took two steps and then stretched out one arm to block her path.

    The move drew eyes and though the hall could not be called silent, it at least began to quiet, all eyes going to those behind the Speaker.

    "Is there some reason," Kate asked, projecting her voice to be heard above those still speaking from the floor, "That you are not welcoming me?"

    Her uncle's voice was statesmanlike, calm and almost regretful. Some instinct sent a shiver down her spine. "Your highness, you may not yet have heard that your brother has agreed an armistice with House Marik."

    "It is my understanding that it is an unpleasant necessity," Kate said firmly. "And perhaps you will now answer my question, your grace."

    Hammond turned to Horatio DuVall and gestured invitingly to the pale count. There was a flicker of smugness barely audible in the duke's voice. Beyond him, Kate caught a glimpse of James Sandoval, face rigid in fury. "For that, I believe it is for the Speaker to say."

    "Your highness." DuVall bowed slightly. "I regret to inform you that a motion has been placed before the High Council and by a clear majority… your brother Victor Steiner-Davion has been deposed."

    Kate's first reaction was relief, closely followed by contempt for herself. She took a half-step forwards. "And thus I am no longer viceroy. I see." Then she let her eyes sweep the room, looking from left to right across the crowd of nobles and elected officials who made up the High Council. Drunk upon their own power, she guessed. She could guess almost at a glance who had voted for and who against.

    "My lords and ladies," she said, forcing herself to remain calm. Or to pretend it. "Our nation stands at war. We cannot be without a leader. You have removed my brother, but I think you have not yet elected a new First Prince." She doubted if any but a very few had even considered what the provisions were for that. The few who had called for this. "I lack a seat upon the High Council in my own right, but as the senior member of House Davion present, I nominate Marie St. Clair Hasek-Davion as regent until such time as a successor is decided."

    Her aunt was in the second rank, and if there was one thing that everyone knew about the eldest child of Andrew Davion it was that she had not the slightest desire for political power. There was a wave of applause for the motion and Kate pulled Yvonne back aside as their aunt made her reluctant way to the dais, Hammond Davion also forced to give way rather than seem ungracious.

    "What do we do?" hissed her sister?

    "Panic?" Kate suggested, almost giddy at the shock. "We may as well get that over with. It'll be hours before we do anything useful."
     
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    Chapter 47

    The Triad, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    3 February 3058

    He couldn't believe it.

    Everyone had something to say about the messages from New Avalon, but Victor simply sat and listened. He heard everything - as if from a distance - but he did not contribute a word as his counselors responded. His friends and family were saying everything he could think to.

    Except, at last, one thing. "How did Kathy lose control so completely?" he asked in a soft voice.

    All eyes turned towards him.

    "She's been my viceroy for over a year and had her finger on the pulse of politics since… father's death. How did they sneak this up on her?"

    "Maybe they didn't have to." Nondi was the first to speak and others paused at her harsh worlds.

    Victor felt his eyes track across to his aunt, like the crosshairs of his Dire Wolf's targeting systems. "What do you mean there?" he asked, voice still calm and contemplative. He felt strange… disassociated. As if all the emotions he should be feeling were off at a distance.

    "Is it not convenient?" she replied crisply. "She has military glory to her name now. She had two years to build up allies in the High Council before she left for Sarna. Perhaps all this is little Katie's plan from the beginning."

    The Archon-Prince raised his hand before Morgan Hasek-Davion - who had taken a long stride towards the Field Marshal, eyes blazing - could speak. "Aunt Nondi?"

    "Yes?"

    He opened a drawer and the envelope was right where he had left it. Victor flipped it out onto the surface of his desk. "I accept your resignation," he said, voice still almost unnaturally tranquil.

    Nondi's eyes widened and now words deserted her.

    "Your service to the Federated Commonwealth has been without compare," he continued. "Your loyalty, putting service to your sister, your niece and to myself above your own desires is legend." Then he rose to his feet. "I can ask nothing more of you."

    He bowed, deeply. She was owed that. More than that. But so was his own sister.

    When he straightened, Nondi's eyes were furious. She reached up to her collar, wrenched off the rank pins off her collar and then hurled them at his desk. The metal badges bounced off the old wood and landed somewhere behind him.

    Without a word, the aged officer stalked out.

    "Not quite how I planned to do that," Victor told the others, feeling a touch more energy at last. "My sister admires her greatly - for her loyalty, for her devotion to duty. I would need far more than this to doubt Kathy's integrity."

    Galen moved round behind the desk and crouched to recover the rank pins. "The viceroy has been away from New Avalon for half a year," he said once he stood again. "A lot can happen in six months."

    They had been a very busy six months, Victor reflected. "True."

    Morgan Hasek-Davion folded his arms. "The truth is though, she didn't entirely miss the signs."

    Victor arched an eyebrow. "Explain, please."

    "She wrote to me of the unhappiness at your continued absence from New Avalon," the Marshal of Armies pointed out. "So did my mother… Blake's Blood! George knew about it and he hasn't left the Capellan March in two years! Surely she must have mentioned it to you!"

    He lowered his head for a moment. Had she? He had received many letters from Kathy, personal and business alike, but it was hard to call the words to mind right now. Still… she had wanted him to go to New Avalon. Told him so before their mother was even buried.

    "She told me I should go to New Avalon. I planned to, so often." Things had kept preventing him from doing so, but that now sounded like an excuse rather than a reason.

    "The question of how this happened may be less important than what you intend to do about it," pointed out Caesar Steiner. "When Alessandro Steiner was presented with the vote of no confidence by the Estates-General, he looked for support from the ministries… and the military."

    "Don't tempt me," Victor warned him, though the attempt at joviality fell flat.

    "It's not really an admirable comparison, is it?" Galen noted. "It might be worth checking where the Estates-General stands on the topic…"

    All eyes turned towards the Speaker of the Estates General. Erika Aths was a silver-haired matron, one of Nondi's generation, and she hesitated a moment before saying: "I have not polled the representatives, but I would expect most to stand behind you, sire."

    "Even after Skye? After Joshua Marik?"

    She nodded. "The degree of empathy for House Marik in the Estates-General is hard to underestimate. They sat and watched as the Clans tore through the Tamar Domains. Omi Kurita is more of a problem… How much truth is there to that?"

    Victor swallowed. "I like her very much, but it would never work. When she asked my help rescuing Hohiro, it was at the price of her father forbidding her to contact me again. She chose her realm over me, as she should. As I must."

    "Good enough," Aths concluded. "I can work with that - but there will need to be action not words in order to slay that dragon. You must marry, Victor. Not now, of course. But that will drive the nail into those stories that there is more than cautious friendship between you and House Kurita."

    "Brides are not so easily found," he protested.

    "Everyone else seems to manage." The Speaker looked over at Morgan. "Is there something wrong with Davion men? You seem to be the only one this century to marry at a sensible age."

    The redhead coughed at the remark. "Yes, well my son George is married."

    "He doesn't count. Doesn't use the Davion name at all, does he?" Aths shook her head and turned back towards Victor. "Half the human race are women, just make me a list of what you're looking for in a wife and I can find candidates. You putting in the time to actually court them is the problem!"

    He flinched. "Yes, my… easy schedule with all the free time."

    The woman made a scornful voice. "It will reassure the Estates-General, which is your concern I believe?"

    "Thank you," Victor managed. "Does anyone else feel I should be aware of… concerns with my fitness to lead?"

    Several officials shook their heads.

    "The troops like you, for the most part," Caesar added. "The regiments being gathered for Callison were eager to fight under your command."

    "Good to know." Victor took a deep breath. "We have a war already, facing the Jade Falcons. It's very fortunate that Thomas Marik accepted the peace deal before word of this reached him. It will be difficult for him to go to his Parliament and demand another war with the Federated Commonwealth now. If this had happened even a month sooner…"

    "Six of one, half a dozen of the other," Morgan assessed. "If you were still on the way to reinforce the Terran Corridor, it would have carried political weight with the High Council. I agreed with your decision at the time, but with hindsight…"

    "Wars on two fronts are at best stalemates," the Archon-Prince pointed out. "That was what prolonged the Succession Wars for so long. And now we have both the Jade Falcons and this new challenge: can we afford a military solution?" He looked over at Caesar Steiner. "You're the new commander of the Lyran state command, cousin, you tell me."

    "I'd say I was honored, but right now…" the dapper Steiner observed. Then he shook his head. "At the least, we can't spare anything to send to the Suns. You can ask Jackson Davion but if he lacks the forces then I can't find them for you."

    "I appreciate the honesty," the Archon-Prince said and then turned to his cousin on the other side of the family. "Morgan?"

    The Marshal of Armies looked at him. "I don't know," he admitted. "It will depend, in the end, more on the hearts and minds of the Federated Suns than the battlemechs. We saw that on Skye…"

    "So." He sat down again. "This is in Kathy's hands then."


    Chapter 48

    Castle Davion, New Avalon
    Crucis March, Federated Commonwealth
    3 February 3058

    It was odd for Kate to find herself on this side of her office.

    Marie had taken the reins as regent, which included use of the same office. There really hadn't been much time for that.

    "I don't appreciate you dropping this on me," her aunt complained. "I'm too old for this."

    "I hope it won't be for long."

    Yvonne sat on the couch. "Why didn't you nominate Uncle Hammond? He's been handling most things while you were away, Kate."

    "Yes, he has - hasn't he?" Kate said pointedly. She doubted it was coincidence that the news leak and the vote had taken place while she was in transit and out of regular contact.

    "Girls, don't fight each other." Ardan Sortek was standing next to Marie's desk. "We have enough enemies… and you may be right, Kate. I believe your father trusted Hammond but he never brought him into his inner circle. He should have seen the discontent was building into something like this. Maybe he's just getting old."

    "I'm not Hanse Davion," she pointed out. "And nor is Victor. I wouldn't have believed it of him a year ago, but from what I saw in the High Council, I don't think he's unhappy about this."

    Ardan opened his mouth to speak and then thought better of it.

    "Do you think he's behind this?" asked Yvonne. "But why?!"

    Marie was the one to answer. "Think about the succession, Yvonne. The High Council won't look outside of House Davion for a First Prince. If they set aside the Steiner-Davions, who is next? Morgan has the stature but…" The matriarch of the Hasek-Davions broke off, apparently thinking of her son, then shook her head. "Everyone knows he wouldn't take it. He renounced his claim years ago, and my grandchildren don't even hold the Davion name as a result. After that, the next most senior claim is Hammond."

    "Playing second fiddle to father was one thing," Kate agreed. "Most of our problems over the last two years would have hesitated to challenge the great Hanse Davion. But Victor and I are younger, less experienced. We don't have the same… you said stature, Marie, and that fits."

    "This is a mess," Ardan said grimly. "Who can we trust?"

    "James Sandoval is solid," Marie told them. "This business with Omi Kurita annoys him, but he respects that Victor wasn't acting on it. And he's a believer in the Federated Commonwealth."

    "That helps, but it doesn't necessarily mean the rest of the Draconis March will follow." Kate leant back. "I counted the votes - the vote to remove Victor had enough support that if every absent member was here and supported him it would still have been a majority."

    "What are our options?" Her aunt looked at Ardan.

    His lips twisted. "I asked my cousin about military options."

    "Bishop?" asked Kate.

    He nodded. "The First Davion Guards' support for House Davion is unshakeable. If you asked, I believe we could take New Avalon and detain the High Council. But…"

    "What then?" she agreed. "We'd be kicking off a civil war, and those tend to be anything but uncivil. Besides… if Hammond did orchestrate this, he is also a Davion."

    Marie slumped, eyes closing for a moment. "There are a lot of Davions." Then she turned her chair (Kate's chair) and looked at Ardan. "Why ask Bishop, not Jackson?"

    "He's from Argyle," the old Marshal reminded her. "I don't know how close he is to Hammond."

    "Not very," Kate told him. "But it was the right call. Uncle Jack is very rule of law and…" She looked over at Yvonne. "You did political studies more recently than I did. The High Council's situation is legal, isn't it?"

    The youngest person in the room nodded reluctantly. "Removing a Prince requires a quorum and an absolute majority - fifty percent of all votes, present or not, plus one more," she added as Ardan gave her a questioning look. "Dimitri Rostov was technically deprived of his rank as Prince of the Terran March by that mechanism, before Alexander Davion's march on Robinson. So there is precedent, even if it's never been used for a First Prince."

    "With that said," the elder of the two sisters added, "I don't think Jackson would back anything illegal from Hammond or whoever else might be setting this up. He was born on Argyle but his mother and most of his family are from Victoria." That branch of the sprawling House Davion were notorious for their loyalty - Jackson's mother had been Ardan's predecessor as Hanse's Champion.

    "Our first move has to be peeling away the opposition," Kate continued. "People like Helen Trempeleau and Roger Sanromea-Davion may not be pleased with Victor, but I don't think they would have voted against him if I'd been there to represent his interests. Intentionally or otherwise, Hammond didn't do that. If we reach out to our friends and allies, building up our own voting block, then this is salvageable."

    "We have time," Yvonne told them. "Electing a First Prince also requires an absolute majority, but it needs more than a quorum. The requirement is a full house of the High Council. Every member needs to attend, validate a proxy or be confirmed as medically unable to do both. That will take a while."

    "I disagree," Marie said quietly.

    Kate tilted her head. "Oh?"

    "Oh, you're right about reaching out, but that is our second priority." The old woman smiled sadly. "First, we have to decide who we are building support for."

    "I don't like what you are suggesting."

    "I don't imagine that you do," Marie assured her. "But… Yvonne, I believe it is legal for Victor to be re-elected as First Prince?"

    "I can't think of any precedent either way. Probably?"

    "But," the dowager warned, "It would be much harder. A great deal of the opposition is centered on Victor personally. If Hammond is really behind this…"

    "I still find it hard to believe this is intentional," Ardan grumbled.

    Marie slapped the desk with the flat of one hand. "Ardan! I know what ambition looks like!"

    Kate flinched and saw Ardan do the same. Marie's late husband had plotted treason for years. It had killed him in the end, one of many secrets that House Davion preferred to keep out of the public's eye. Shame for that was one reason Morgan Hasek-Davion had renounced his own place in the succession.

    "What matters more?" Marie continued, voice gentler. "Reinstating Victor? Or keeping an usurper from taking the throne. Which is worse for the Suns… and for the Federated Commonwealth?"

    Kate covered her face. "Are you telling me to become an usurper myself?!"

    "Kate." Her aunt's voice was sad. "We have options. Military action. Pushing Victor's cause. Or finding a compromise candidate - you or someone else. But which of those has the best chance of success?"


    Chapter 49

    The Triad, Tharkad
    Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
    9 February 3058

    Victor rose to greet Phelan Kell as the Khan of half of Clan Wolf entered his office. "Phelan, how's your father?"

    "He is adjusting well to the new arm. Losing mom…" His cousin shook his head. "Not so much." They reached out, Victor going for a handshake but Phelan turned it into a clasp of forearms.

    "Good job on Morges," the Archon-Prince said. "Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to have taken the wind out of the Jade Falcon sails."

    IlKhan Kerensky had instructed Phelan to bring the more warden-leaning members of Clan Wolf's touman into the Inner Sphere, safe from retribution from the Jade Falcons. His message, delivered as they crossed into the Inner Sphere, made it clear that their leader did not expect to survive his attack on Wotan. In what might have been his last act as the ilKhan, Kerensky had created the Kell bloodname for Phelan - perhaps the greatest honor that the Clans had among their rank. It was a burden Victor's cousin was clearly still coming to terms with.

    "I am not sure how they have the warriors or equipment to make another attack," Phelan admitted. He sat down on the couch and crossed his legs. "We beat them on Morges but it will be months before I would want to take my warriors into that sort of campaign. Which means I cannot help you out with them at the moment."

    "Our belief is that they absorbed Clan Wolf into their ranks, or at least all the survivors in the forces Ulric and Natasha were leading."

    The Khan's eyes narrowed. "No, that is not it. Or rather… they did, but then they turned them loose again."

    Victor gave him a curious look. "Go on?"

    "It's complicated. Summing it up, the Jade Falcons did declare absorption of the Wolves, but either because of internal frictions with the Wolves or between their Khans they carved them off as the 'Jade Wolves'. Then the Wolves dropped the first part of that. Technically they're a new Clan, but basically it's back to the old Clan but without the Wardens. Our information is that they'll need to take time to rebuild and I can't see how the Falcons are better off."

    "We've seen at least three Galaxy designations that we haven't before," the Archon-Prince told him. "It could be the result of reorganization, or new forces from their homeworlds. They're showing off a lot new 'mechs we haven't seen before."

    Phelan's brow furrowed. "I wish I could help more."

    "I doubt this will be our last campaign against the Clans," he replied.

    In the long run, the technicians Phelan had brought might be more important. Right now there were teams from Tharkad, Hesperus II and - ironically - Coventry - helping the Wolves set up the factories they had brought in order to support rebuilding their forces. But once that was over they would be taking what they had learned of Clan technology back to the factories they worked with. He'd have wanted NAIS participation, but that was obviously going to be a problem.

    "Speaking of other campaigns," he added, "Let's talk Conal Ward."

    Phelan paled. "Shit."

    "Yeah, I appreciate Dan Allard keeping it quiet until I could call you on that myself." Victor leant forwards. "Why did you delete that data?"

    The Khan stiffened. "It had to be kept secret. Conal could have won a Trial and even if he lost he would have been a martyr to the Crusaders. I killed him myself, but no one could know or the Truce would have collapsed there and then."

    "We were supposed to be working together!"

    "What would you have done, demanded that Ulric turn him over to you?"

    Victor shook his head. "I already had to give up on hunting down the Red Corsair myself. I understand that he couldn't have done that." He steepled his fingers. "No, I would have asked for something much like what you did: to clean up your own mess."

    "Hey, you got Ryan Steiner. I should get something!"

    He glared at the attempted humor. "Yes. I did get Ryan. And Richard, and Robert. And I may have burned some bridges with Ilse Aten by sending her sister Hermione join them at the gallows. I'm not sure where she's going to stand politically. The point isn't that you dealt with Conal and I didn't, the point was you lying to me about it!"

    The defiance bled out of his cousin and for a moment, Victor saw himself in the Kell. He'd inherited Clan Wolf from Ulric and Natasha, much as he himself had inherited the Federated Commonwealth. And he too had lost half of his people.

    "Don't do that again, Phelan," Victor told him, easing his tone. "I've made my own mistakes. It's important we both learn from them."

    Phelan nodded, not meeting his eyes. "Alright."

    "Look at me when you say that."

    The Wolf - and he was a Wolf now, not a Kell Hound or a Lyran - snapped his gaze up and their eyes met. For a long moment the cousins exchanged glares and Phelan was the first to break away.

    "Alright," Victor agreed. "I believe you."

    "Do you mind telling me what's happening with Katie?" the other man asked, trying to change the subject.

    Victor accepted that. "Turns out, she's been signing her letters as Kate since her first year at NAIS."

    He got a bemused look from Phelan. "That was ten years ago, Victor. Granted, she's always going to be little Katie who hated getting her dress dirty, but I'd have thought you'd have noticed."

    "You know how you always skim the last bits of a letter because it's just the usual goodbyes and you know that already? It's not like she talks about herself in third person on videos or in person." Also he'd kind of tuned out the 'in addition, you should come to New Avalon' that had featured in just about every message she sent him. That was what he'd been reviewing the letters for - noticing she signed them had been an unexpected byproduct of that re-read.

    Phelan shook her head. "Caitlin would have kicked my ass if I called her something else. Katie... Kate is too easy on you. Anyway, what is going on with New Avalon?"

    "Currently, the High Council is looking for its head."

    "Have they checked their assholes?" Phelan shook his head. "Do you think the Federated Commonwealth will survive? Can you even regain the throne?"

    "I might win the throne back in a civil war, but I'd lose a lot in doing so," Victor leant back in his chair. "In theory they can vote me back in - log this as some sort of extreme protest. It would be contingent, explicitly or implicitly, in my going to New Avalon."

    "And would that cost you the Archon's throne?"

    He snorted. "I've spoken to the Speaker of the Assembly, and laid the groundwork. It would mean not taking command on Coventry, but keeping New Avalon would be worth it."

    "Who would replace you on Coventry then? Morgan Hasek-Davion?"

    "No, I'd take him with me. I was thinking I'd re-activate your father's commission."

    Phelan scowled at him. "I'm not sure that's the best idea."

    "We lose too many good officers to the merc trade," Victor told him. "There are times I think I'd be better firing everyone at Mount Asgard and replacing them with a half-dozen mercenary commanders. Your father isn't the only mercenary officer I've been reaching out to. We need new blood at the top, something to change the culture of our officers."

    "I wish I could say you were wrong," Phelan conceded. "What would he be leading?"

    "Twelfth Donegal Guards and Tenth Lyran Guards are on their way. The Kathil Uhlans will be on the next collars available. Besides that, there are mercs moving. Gray Death Legion, Second Kearny Highlanders… First Kell Hounds."

    "Against three galaxies, that may not be enough," warned his cousin.

    "We are looking at moving in some more RCTs," Victor admitted. "It may be more than three galaxies, that's just what we've seen so far. I can't be sure they don't have more in their quiver given we didn't think they could do this much."
     
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