MarkWarrior
Well-known member
Chapter IX
Date: June 7, 2857
Location: New Avalon, Federated Suns
“Chancellor Liao,” First Prince Michael Davion greeted the leader of the Capellan Confederation. “I wish I could say that it is good to meet you in person finally, but I’m afraid that the circumstances are not what I would have wished to meet you in.”
The man’s bald scalp gleamed around his topknot as he was instructed to sit across from the First Prince.
“On that, we can agree,” the Chancellor muttered weakly. “Now, enough with this game and show. What are your terms?”
“We want peace,” Michael accepted a paper from his aid. “At least between our two nations. With that in mind, I have something that I believe that both of us will agree to.”
Michael slid the paper across the table for the Chancellor to look over.
“Take your time. Should you need to speak to me for your response, you can speak to one of the butlers.”
The First Prince stood up and left the room, leaving the Chancellor alone with the paper and his thoughts.
The Liao’s strong facade vanished as he reached out a slightly shaking hand to pick up the paper and begin scanning it.
This… It was almost too good to be true.
“If I sign this, then we will always be the weaker nation. But we will be alive, and this will give both nations space to recover. “
Dainmar knuckled his forehead before nodding to himself, grabbing a nearby pen, and writing in brilliant calligraphy the condition that he desired to be added.
“Give this to your First Prince,” he handed the sheet to a nearby guard. “We will see if he holds fast to his principles or if he is like the others that have attempted this before.”
Date: June 15, 2857
Location: New Valencia, Federated Suns (Draconis Combine Occupation)
Prime Marshal Peter Davion looked at the strategic map of New Valencia, the Dracs were dug in in several places around key installations and cities.
But his forces had an advantage. For all that the Combine preached of having superior Mechwarrios and ‘Samurai’, they would be on the back foot. After all, the Federated Suns had freed up troops from New Avalon and other central worlds to strike back and encircle the Combine forces that had forced their way deep into Davion space.
“Sir, the 2nd Crucis Lancers report that they’re engaging the 2nd Sword of Light now; we’ve got elements of the First Davion Guards supporting them.”
“I’ll trust that General Davion and Colonel Thomas have that handled,” Peter considered the position of his forces. “We’re going in hard and fast. The Heavy Guards will push in and eliminate those positions while the infantry moves in to clear out any support. Then they’ll circle around and hit the 2nd Sword in the rear.”
“Relaying commands now.”
—
—
Date: June 21, 2857
Location: Rochester
A battle was being waged for the survival of the Federated Suns, and it began in the skies.
Shilones and Sholagers dueled with Davion fighters. The furball increased as new fighters joined the fray. Dropships opened fire with their weapons, and eventually, one dropship began falling rapidly as a thruster exploded, the Union spiraling downward before leaving a deep crater in the ground below.
“Get everyone out through the available hatches,” Field Marshal David Sandoval ordered. “We’re abandoning this dropship.”
After ensuring all personnel were accounted for, the middle-aged man climbed into his Archer.
The heavy ‘Mech stepped out into chaos. The other March Militia dropships had landed intact, but now a group of the 2nd Galedon Regulars were pushing their landing zone.
“Command Company, form on me and prepare to defend the LZ while they disembark.”
Locking onto a Dragon that wandered into range, David pulled the trigger on his sticks, over half of the missiles found purchase on the enemy’s armor.
Turning, the Dragon pockmarked David’s armor with its autocannon before a nearby Rifleman reminded the Kuritan that the Sandoval was not alone.
The short company of Draconis March Militia fended off the initial Combine advance, giving them a moment to breathe as the remainder of the forces disembarked.
“Get everyone off and start setting up anti-air defenses. I want our FOB up and running in twelve. Everyone else, start clearing the nearby areas. I don’t want any surprises.”
Date: May 9, 2857
Location: Solaris VII, Lyran Commonwealth
“I am pleased that we were able to come to an agreement,” Ilysa Aten shook the hand of Phillipa Marik.
“As am I,” the Representative of the Free Worlds League replied. “It is my hope that we will be able to sustain this cease-fire long enough for peace to break out.”
“We share more in common than that with the other nations that border us,” Aten agreed. “And given time, we can both benefit from trade and hopefully rebuild some of that which was lost.”
“Agreed. Now it is left to return to Gerald in the hopes that he agrees to peace beyond this armistice.”
“And for me to encourage Elizabeth to continue in our overtures lest she become like her father.”
As the two stood to leave the room, an explosion rocked the building, the sound of shattering glass and the screams of civilians echoed in the hallways.
“An assassination?” Ilysa asked.
“Not from SAFE,” Philipa shook her head. “One of yours?”
“Not ours.”
“Which means that it’s either MASK or the ISF,” Philipa pulled her shirt up and removed a pistol from a small holster concealed in her bra. “Are you armed?”
“Of course,” the Duchess and Regent pulled a set of daggers from under her skirts. “Now, do try to keep some of them alive for interrogation. I’d like to know who decided to try and kill us.’
“Only if you do the same,” Philipa grinned.
The two women’s security detail stepped out into the hall only to step back as a hail of gunfire shattered the solid oak door.
“Extra security is on the way,” the SAFE agent glanced at the LIC agent. “At least from the local SAFE cell. What do you have that’s heavier than this?” He gestured to the submachine gun in his hand. “We’re going to need more firepower.”
Turning to a nearby shelf, the LIC agent pressed his thumb against it before it folded away, revealing a pair of rifles, body armor, and extra magazines.
The two bodyguards pushed the vests onto their charges before beginning to make the room an unassailable fortress.
“Where do you want us?” Philipa asked.
“In the back,” The SAFE bodyguard replied. “Can’t keep you safe if you’re on the front, after all…”
Date: July 7, 2857
Location: Bolthole, Terran Hegemony
“Colonel Ezra Bradley,” Elizabeth stood and greeted the man. “Thank you for coming to meet me.”
“Of course,” the old man smiled at the young woman. “I might be crippled, but I’m not dead yet.”
“That’s actually what I wanted to speak to you about,” Elizabeth moved around the desk and sat in a chair next to Colonel Bradley. “Colonel Hanni Schmitt is being given a promotion to General, and I would like for you to be her XO.”
Elizabeth opened her hand revealing the star of a Lieutenant General, her eyes searching for something within the aging man’s own.
“I’m not sure how long I’ll be for this world,” Ezra’s smile turned bitter. “But I will do what I can, Director-General.”
“Speaking of which,” The Cameron grinned. “We did not simply escape to a world with hidden military equipment and the ability to repair and rearm any forces that had to fall back to Bolthole.”
Ezra looked up as Elizabeth stood up and gestured for him to follow her.
“No, we have the most advanced medical equipment and doctors that are in the Inner Sphere and Periphery. If it has even the slightest chance, we will restore your life to you. For you to seize the opportunity with both hands and push forward.”
As the two left the Director-General’s office, they entered a square where men and women in working uniforms were running to and fro. The atmosphere of defeat and weariness had been replaced with one of hope, and steadfast determination to see justice done.
“It’s a sight, isn’t it?” Bradley asked as he stopped his wheelchair and gazed at the men and women from different cultures, backgrounds and nations worked together to accomplish the sole goal. “This is what the Star League was at its best.”
“General, I’m going to be blunt. I do not believe the Star League will be returning,” Elizabeth sighed.
“I know,” Ezra agreed. “But if this is possible,” he gestured at the crowds. “Then I can dream that one day there will be a restoration. Or maybe, something better than what the Star League was.”
“Aye,” the woman grunted. “That is a dream worth having.”
“Now.”
There was a glint of something dangerous in his eye as Ezra turned his wheelchair around to face the ruler of the Terran Hegemony. “I believe you said something about restoration?”