Resurgence - Cataclysm Chapter 24

0500

Julian Davion sits in the throne at the end of the hall with Siobhan Sortek and Erik Sandoval-Groell to his left and right. Before him the guest’s seats have been arranged to complete a circle. Chancellor Danai Liao sits directly across from First Prince Julian Davion in the center of the long stretch of colored carpet. To her right is Pei-Ling Liao-Davion-Cameron. Joining the group is every nation’s highest ranking leader present on New Avalon.

Lars Magnusson, Dominic McKenna, Precentor Imala, General Lee, and Sebastien Caeden of MIIO, who has taken a special interest in Danai’s announcement the night before. Each leader has an honor guard with them. Danai and Pei-Ling are flanked by Maskirovka agents each. Lars Magnusson’s XO Rulia Vong stands beside him, dwarfing most except for the elemental standing beside Dominic McKenna.

The tension in the quiet air could be cut with a knife. What in the hell could be her reason for doing that last night, of all nights?! Julian rages in his mind. He takes a deep breathe, a slow blink of his eyes, then rises.

“Welcome everyone, as we all know there was a significant development last night. I want to cut straight to the chase.” Julian holds his hand, palm up toward the Liaos. “Chancellor Liao, I think I can speak for everyone here, considering the immense interest of the names you listed last night. How does Sang-Wei Pei-Ling carry them?” Julian retakes his seat on the throne.

All of the room’s eyes look toward the Chancellor as she rises. She clears her throat, then gives a respectful nod toward Julian. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is a revelation I have long and patiently awaited revealing. Not even with the great Devlin Stone could the Inner Sphere cast off the Word of Blake for good.” She motions toward General Lee. “Now, they return and worse than ever. We have seen the atrocities and the footage our own men have recorded and that we have shared together in our alliance.” She looks directly at Julian Davion as she emphasizes that last word.

“Now seems like the appropriate time given how much we all have lost. The AFFS has been shattered from the fool prince that got so many commands slaughtered on Palmyra and now your homeworld is under constant Blakist threat. The Capellan Confederation’s capital world has been destroyed, killing the former Chancellor. From what we can tell the Raven Alliance has been conquered, sending the Stormhawk galaxy among the stars. Merely attempting to find a new home after losing their entire nation the Nomad Republic has been thrust back into fighting the enemy their founder defeated. Even the Ghost Bears are here because of treachery that was countered by the wisdom of the First Prince and even then, there are whispers of the bears slaughtering each other. Perhaps now, a Cameron can restore the Inner Sphere.” Danai takes a breath and pauses, looking at the facial expressions of each seated member to let them think on that last statement.

“Over 16 years ago on New Hessen,” Danai grimaces as she brings forward the memory in a brief pause. “Davion, Liao, and Republic forces battled. I was stuck on foot, looking for Yen-Lo-Wang. Along for the journey I found myself accompanied by Caleb Davion.” At first, she can see multiple faces are shocked yet curious, then she makes a disgusted look thinking about him. Continuing, “Caleb and I barely got along enough not to kill each other. It got to the point where we wound up saving each other’s lives then threatening to end them.”

Danai takes a deep breath, “We finally found Yen-Lo-Wang but, the violence was such that we were driven into a warehouse during the fighting. Caleb found himself talking to people who weren’t there from time to time, it happened again, in that warehouse.” She can see Julian shaking his head side to side as he knew of his cousin’s mental decay. “I told him to let me out to get my mech. However, he refused and I put a rifle barrel to his gut. He took the rifle from me and pinned me to a wall with his knife to my throat.” Danai pauses again, gritting her teeth. “He then proceeded to have his way with me as he tackled me to the ground at knifepoint.” She pauses and grimaces to see looks of disgust and anger across the faces of the leaders around her. Some look around and a number of members look to Julian, who appears horrified.

“I vowed to kill him myself one day but, the dracs got to him first. However, where a vile sin took place, inside me sprouted a gift of life.” She stops for a moment and a smile starts to form on her face; it grows as she looks to Pei-Ling. “I was harshly pushed by my father and the Liao family to murder the small life within me. To tear out the Davion ‘parasite’ as my father would say.” She pauses as she continues to look at Pei-Ling with a motherly gaze. Pei-Ling returns a sweet smile full of love.

“While I have my tendencies to be… extreme, I noticed something changed inside of me. I refused to take the easy road and kill my own child, the only one I will likely have.” She turns and continues to look at the other leaders as she speaks. “Now, about to be seventeen years old I cannot be more proud to have my daughter, Pei-Ling, at my side. From a beautiful little baby girl to the woman she has grown to be, this is the daughter of three of the Inner Sphere’s Great Houses.” Danai extends her hand and Pei-Ling takes it. Standing up, she steps toward the First Prince and gives him a respectful curtsy and remains standing next to her mother.

The room’s silence is much less tense now that a House Lady, the Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation has shared such a life altering story. Julian stands, “Chancellor Liao, it takes great courage to tell other leaders of such a terrible experience you suffered through and on behalf of the Davion line, I apologize for my predecessor’s actions. Even though it means so little to say compared to what you experienced, I hope you can find peace in your glaring success,” he motions to Pei-Ling, “over that evil you experienced.”

“I sincerely appreciate your kind words, First Prince.” Danai responds.

“My next question though, is how have you proven her bloodline connection with House Davion and furthermore, with House Cameron?” he inquires.

Danai looks to her Maskirovka guard and he hands her a vial of red liquid and data crystal. She holds it up. “This is a vial of Pei-Ling’s blood. Just as every House and Clan has, we have kept detailed genetic records of all major leaders and bloodlines we have been able to have access to.” She then holds up a data crystal, “We also have the ancient records of the DNA of House Cameron. These tests have been run in the best labs House Liao has dozens of times over and the information is conclusive that she shares the DNA of all three Houses, Liao, Davion, and Cameron.”

“Are you willing to allow MIIO to test her blood against our records? To draw it themselves?” Julian askes.

“Yes, this vial is for immediate use and testing. MIIO can coordinate with the Maskirovka for a guaranteed safe blood draw environment to test themselves.”

Julian looks to Sebastien Caeden and he nods to the First Prince that he will begin testing immediately. When Julian turns back, he can see Precentor Imala standing. “Precentor, do you have something to add?”

“Yes, First Prince. As Comstar wishes to once more aid the Inner Sphere, I thought it pertinent right now to mention that we have a direct blood sample from the Cameron family. One of the greatest relics of the Word of Blake we took a copy as we did the various components and parts to outfit the jump drives and HPGs. We can provide additional confirmation of her genetic heritage if the First Prince and Chancellor are willing. There are verified Star League Era documents clearly supporting the escape of two Cameron children.”

Hmmm… They have done nothing but aid all the efforts against the Word of Blake. If we can prove that the Cameron line still exists and that people originally from the Word of Blake helped prove it… That could demoralize some of the Blakists. “Yes, as long as the Chancellor approves, you have my blessing as well, you can coordinate with MIIO.”

“Many thanks, First Prince.” Imala looks at Danai and she nods to confirm her approval. “Thank you, Chancellor.” Imala returns to his seat.

The room sits quietly for a moment before Julian ends the gathering. “Thank you to all of you for gathering here. We will share the results with you regarding the blood testing in a few hours’ time. Learning of this may change the course of the Inner Sphere.”

1800

Offices under the Davion Palace always felt cozy to Julian. His office is filled with dark wooden panels and lights with rich, dark glows that feel ‘old fashioned’. But, should he desire to use modern tech, holopanels and holograms can be accessed en masse.

Completing a number of tasks half-heartedly, he anxiously awaits the determination by MIIO and even by Comstar. Thankfully the blood draw directly from Danai’s daughter went off without a hitch. Two ancient enemies in MIIO and the Maskirovka covering the same situation is a recipe for nuclear war, especially concerning the princess of one of the Great Houses.

He looks up at the clock on his desk and it is about time for his Field Report from Erik, Siobhan, and Sebastien. Seconds later he hears the knocking on his door to which he presses the button to open it and automatically closing behind them. All three stroll in, greeting the First Prince and taking their seats. Julian looks directly at Sebastien. He stands and walks to the First Prince’s desk with three folders. One from House Liao, one from MIIO, and one from Comstar.

He places them on the First Prince’s desk and opens each. Starting with the Liao folder, he flips it open and shows the match percentage. Then MIIO’s and finally Comstar’s. “Sir, she is the newest Davion, Liao, and Cameron princess.”

Julian sits back in his chair, his mind blown with the confirmations. I do not have an heir, right now, she is heir to the Davion throne. “Siobhan, publish the findings. After Danai’s not-so-subtle announcement half of New Avalon already believes this to be true. And there’s no way that jumpship crews haven’t already begun spreading the announcement.” Julian orders.

“Yes, First Prince.” Sebastien returns to his seat and Siobhan rises.

She plugs a data crystal into Julian’s desk which generates a New Avalon hologram that she begins rotating, “First Prince, we have some updates on Albion. Firstly, there was a Word of Blake terror attack yesterday in Avalon City. It seems like a single Manei Domini trooper that went haywire, likely from cryo. She was able to kill forty-three people with weapons hidden inside her mechanical wrists before a Hauberk Battle Armor essentially stomped her through the ferrocrete. Then for good measure… he grabbed both her arms and lifted her into the air… Then proceeded to rip her arms off. Not the best optics but any nearby civilians cheered at the kill. He is getting an award but, was told not to make any future kills so graphic in civilian population centers.”

“I can’t wholly agree with the trooper’s course of action but, really… fuck ‘em.” Adds in Erik. Julian points over to Erik and nods his head in agreement with the sentiment.

“I will cede the point.” Siobhan walks away from that conversation. “Anyway, our forces have nearly pushed any organized Blakist remnants off Albion. The Ghost Bears and Snow Ravens seem to be enjoying killing every last Blakist they find. We must ask them to take prisoners nearly every op and only rarely do we get a live Blakist. In the meantime, most of the Blakist forces are rallying on Bruinswick in Ultron. With Winchester all but entirely rubble the only other significant Blakist forces are in Novais and Brunswick City. Planning is underway for a large coordinated assault on one of the cities, likely Ultron.” She pauses and leaves the room open for discussion.

“MIIO is having a helluva time getting information out of the cities. They are locked down and using anything they can to barricade themselves in.” Sebastien adds, “Most of the Lycomb-Davion Introtech facilities have been stripped but it seems they have enough components to get those factories online to a small degree. Any attempts to bomb the cities have been met with heavy air cover and anti-air attacks. A ground assault in force will be needed to drive them out. Even worse though, we need to expect them to use human shields with our own civilians.”

Siobhan continues, “A number of Nomad Knights are still defending Ith and that is where the Dynasty Guard is stationed in support of AFFS and Nomad troops. We will need to continue supporting that location. The Aleisha Kris is maintaining orbit above the location with Liao aerospace fighters ready to launch if needed. There are streams of refugees pouring into the city each day. We have already seen entire groups slaughtered and left for scavenging wildlife. Raiding parties are sallying out of Ith all hours of the day to protect the scattered civilian groups from being massacred by Blakists.” Siobhan sits back down.

Erik stands and begins, “Are any of you familiar with a weapons platform known as a Rattler? A more recent but, unsuccessful design known as the Mobile Orbital Defense Lasers or ‘MODL’ was attempted but not well received.”

“No, what is it?” responds Julian.

Replacing Siobhan’s data crystal Erik selects a schematics file. As the image of the massive structure appears Sebastien, Siobhan, and Julian’s eyes go wide, not expecting to see what they are seeing. “The Rattler has two versions, the Star League version and the MkII, which was a brainchild of the Word of Blake. Turns out, in the massive cargo bays of the Harmonia and Necessitas, they have two SLDF ones and a MkII. Stone mothballed them apparently to deploy when the Republic was supposed to retake their lost worlds. They were not yet operational when the Word of Blake first attacked but, now they are.”

“I see what they have and I want one for us.” Julian says somewhat silly but, still serious.

“As do I, First Prince, General Lee is very protective of these assets. While he is willing to commit them to defending New Avalon right now, he is unsure of actually removing one from his TO&E. They have sold us the specs for them and those have been taken to some of our research facilities. As for the Rattlers, a Mk I and Mk II are being brought to the surface. The Mk I is being placed at the spaceport, near the Refuge defensive position and the Mk II will be between the Palace and Mount Davion.”

“And the third?” asks Julian.

“One area neither us nor the Blakists have total control over is the lunar orbits. We are placing the final one in an ambush position of sorts on Galahad. It may be possible to shoot any returning fleet in the ass. My guess that they left so many Manei Domini here is to occupy and exhaust us before they come back.” Julian nods in agreement.

“Speaking of ambushes, we have prepared a warning system. Based on the charts Imala showed us, any potential attack would originate from the direction of the Taurian Concordat or Calderon Protectorate, Rimward. Jumpships from the AFFS, CCAF, Ghost Bears, and Nomads have all deployed to systems Rimward of New Avalon that have the jump capacity to return to the New Avalon system on one charge and we have a circuit to the jump point with the upgraded drives so that we cannot be blocked from comms by ECM. With the upgrades to the Snow Raven jump drives they are keeping those ships in the New Avalon system to avoid risks of burning out the drives.” With that Erik returns to his seat and Sebastien stands up to have his turn to speak.

“First Prince, I have a couple updates beyond the data on your desk. As far as the defensive posture of New Avalon goes, it is fairly strong. The combined might of our allied fleets cover the entirety of Albion and extend to over Ith on Brunswick. Finally, the HPG. Comstar is constantly ripping stuff out and shoving stuff in. When I am observing their activity, it seems like they are fixing things every minute. Imala is optimistic that they will finish the HPG soon.” With that Sebastien bows his head and returns to his seat.

“Is there anything you haven’t told me?” Julian asks, rolling from the amount of information and updates.

“Yes,” Siobhan responds. “The Chancellor seeks an audience with you. A Maskirovka agent arrived and informed her that the Word of Blake has cut off all Capellan worlds up to Victoria. She will be leaving her daughter, the Aleisha Kris, Dynasty Guard, and the First MAC here when she departs the New Avalon system in a week. Both units will be brought up to one hundred percent strength.”

Julian smacks his head into the cushion on the back of his chair. Dammit! She is one of the toughest Mechwarriors and the entire MAC would be extremely useful. “When will she want to talk?”

“She is actually outside your office now; she is waiting for the conclusion of this meeting.” Siobhan adds.

“Sounds good to me, I don’t want any more news, dismissed.” Julian says as the three turn to walk out and exit the doorway.

“Pardon me, Siobhan.” Danai catches her. “Would you care to stay for this conversation?”

Looking at the Capellan Chancellor in her regal gown is fairly intimidating for Siobhan but she nods in agreement and walks in with her. Julian walks around his desk and greets Danai. “Good afternoon, First Prince, I have some important news.”

“By all means Chancellor, what is on your mind?”

“I will be departing New Avalon this afternoon and I would like you to know before we lift off. It seems the Word of Blake has taken nearly a full third of the Confederation in my absence and some of my forces are still fighting in the Free Worlds League. I would ask that once Comstar solves the HPG issue that you can see that they assist my nation as well.” Danai requests of Julian.

“Yes, Danai I will honor our agreement. I am genuinely not interested in going to war with you or your people again. I have received word that Lady Pei-Ling is still and will remain on world?”

“Yes, she is a relative of yours. She would do well to learn her people, fight alongside them, and embrace the culture that the Blakists are trying to destroy. I am leaving the Aleisha Kris, the First MAC, and Dynasty Guard for her protection. The Aleisha Kris and Dynasty Guard has the Chancellor’s orders that they will not leave her side. However, the MAC can be redeployed by Pei-Ling in coordination with your overall battle plans. While I am uncomfortable with her being at Ith, the combat and operational experience will benefit her. She requested that location herself.”

“I am grateful for your decision to leave some forces here to aid in the defense.” Julian responds graciously.

“It has been a very pleasant visit Julian. I have enjoyed this one more than the others where we had tried to kill each other just beforehand. Farewell, First Prince.”

“Godspeed, Chancellor.”

Danai turns and meets with her Maskirovka escort and they turn down the hall. Siobhan steps closer to Julian and pressed the button on his desk to close the office doors. “That was a pleasant conversation.” She comments with surprise in her voice.

“I wonder if her daughter has helped her to not be so aggressive. If something happens to her daughter here… The Word of Blake may be the least of our worries. Siobhan, order up a ceremonial escort for Danai as her ship leaves.”

“Certainly, my Prince.” She says with special emphasis before getting on her tip toes and kissing him on the cheek. Pressing the button again on the desk, she turns and strides out of the office with a little more hip sway in her walk than normal just for him, Julian observes.

Chapter 5: A Dire Warning

Chapter 2: Operation Tsunami

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