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Beyond Hope
- Chapter 71 - The ripples before the tsunami[]
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Steal glory from others[]
Clan Embassy
Kowloon, Federated Commonwealth (Lyran States)
3065
Ariel Suvarov, Barbara Sennet, and Karianna Scmitt were all sitting at a table.
“Our scientists are all too far away for us to have any hope of competing with the Wolves and Falcons for offering a cure to our host.” Ariel admitted.
"We lack the scientific resources." Karianna said mournfully, "even if we had them closer-at least, MY clan lacks them…"
“Aff. This would be easier if she were at least younger.”
“But perhaps that is what we can offer her between the three of us. As a coalition. We can ensure her children never have to worry about the syndrome.” Ariel proposed.
"Coalition…" Sennet had a thoughtful look, "We all have medical and genetic researchers, and there is that lovely route the Spheroids built between the Homeworlds, and here, so not so far as it may seem…"
"A Joint exercise?"
"WE can offer a joint exercise." The Diamond Shark said, "The Wolves and the Falcons both have 'rock star' scientists, but how often is someone who has already peaked, able to perform again?"
“Steal glory from the two larger Clans." Schmitt nodded, "I like that."
“And our different areas of expertise combined, we may be able to find solutions they would never consider. We shall offer both. We shall attempt to cure Elizabeth Ngo-Steiner-Davion and ensure her children never have to worry about the syndrome themselves.”
Three Khans in an Embassy began working out the agreement that none of them would have imagined ten years ago.
Sit Rep[]
Office of the First Lord, Ia Drang City
Kowloon, Federated Commonwealth (Lyran State)
3065
Star Lord Helena Cameron walked into a scene. Comstar acolytes waiting with messages, arguing with Word of Blake acolytes also waiting with messages, while unaffiliated SLDF personnel were playing peacekeeper and civilian staffers were looking frustrated.
Samantha had an apologetic look on her face.
“Okay a little order here. Let’s start alphabetically by last name.” Helena declared.
The business of administering the new Star League commenced, and by the time the second sun was setting, Helena knew three things;
1. The Jade Falcons were sending a medical research team under escort to Kowloon.
2. The Wolves (both halves of that separated Clan) were sending their own team.
3. A multi-Clan team was coming from the Homeworlds down the Crimson Shadow Road.
All would need facilities either provided, or constructed. A medical specialist from Word of Blake (Mayo Clinic Luna) and a volunteer from Comstar's current 'digs' on Tukayyid were also on the way, there were genetic medicine specialists from the Confederation coming, as observers, and a group of doctors from New Avalon would be arriving with Victor in just over a month. "I need a Health Minister." Helena finally sighed as she finished reading the last missive. "The Star League needs a Health Ministry..."
“Majery could lead it. Why not ask her?” Samantha offered.
“I really should, shouldn’t I?” Helena nodded.
“You’re too stressed and overworked. You do this to yourself a lot.” Jakob Fletcher came up behind his wife and started rubbing her shoulders.
“Mmmmm… Yeah. I should have started up a lot more ministries while I had the chance.” Helena nodded.
"You have the chance, use your executive prerogative, the Council can be forced to vote up or down on maintaining it, but creating new agencies is actually one of your powers." Samantha reminded them, "Heck, one of the reasons you had so little stress when you came back to the Naval Minister's office, is that Elizabeth insisted on creating new departments in the SLDF to handle a lot of these details after she carried out the audits and purges."
“So what are we still missing besides Health?” Helena started putting pen to paper.
"Transportation, which is in a draft proposal awaiting your review, a commerce minister, and a treasury officer." Samantha said, "all of which, are in that pile of work you've been too busy putting out fires to deal with."
“What would I do without the lot of you?” Helena smiled.
"Oh, work yourself into an early grave, I imagine…" Samantha said unironically, "It would be nice if you could see to reviewing and approving those positions sometime…soon? Having to call Elizabeth or Alicia Li, or Evelynn every few hours during the day for advice is getting old...see the gray hair?" Samantha urged, "I'm getting gray, Highness. I'm not even forty yet!"
"Chief of staff." Jakob observed, "Her, or Bertha."
“Samantha. Bertha, I think she’s got different ambitions but I’m not entirely sure what they are yet.” Helena nodded. “And honestly I’m a bit shocked Elizabeth and Evvie haven’t been training you more. Just so you didn’t have to call them so much.”
“Oh they have. There’s just that much stuff coming through these days.”
“I’m sorry.” Helena shook her head.
"Don't say you're sorry, say you read it and have made a decision." Samantha primmed, "then sign it, and I can get it logged."
Helena picked up the stack of papers, started thumbing through them to find the relevant ones.
As she skimmed each one she either signed or stamped to indicate when more than one person was up for a position which ones were accepted and which ones were rejected.
“Now my first order to my new chief of staff is for you to find your own assistants and start getting them trained up. I want you to be able to take some time off too.” Helena declared.
“Yes, ma’am.” Samantha nodded.
“Speaking of time, time for me to go pick up, Jonathan. I know you still have work to do honey. See you at home.” Jakob said as he stopped rubbing Helena’s shoulders.
“I should only be a few more days.” Helena joked indicating the pile of papers she still had to go through.
Sarak ‘Why’ Yeh stood on the site of a trial that had only ended moments ago.
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Sarak Yeh
The ramifications of the Elbar Declaration among the Clan had caused some of the other Warriors to express their views in the traditional Clan way.
He was victorious over one such Warrior.
“Why.” Another Warrior came up to him.
“Benjamin.”
“The Khan’s orders have come through. You’re to command our garrison in the Inner Sphere.”
“The timing is most interesting.”
“Aff. But think of it. You will be the closest Goliath Scorpion to the heart of the Star League on a regular basis. Our Khan will have to return with this recent series of events. She must. So you will be our senior warrior in the Inner Sphere. I envy the honor you have been granted.”
“Do not envy me too much. This was just the beginning of our internal disagreements over the Elbar Declaration. The other Clans will be joining in soon as well. Be ready.” Why Yeh countered.
“You are correct.”
“My fate approaches. I can sense it.”
“Your vision.”
“Aff. I meet my death in the Inner Sphere. I accept this and thus I obey, my Khan.”
“Seyla.”
Visit from Auntie[]
Kowloon, Federated Commonwealth (Lyran State)
3065
"You didn't think I'd let you suffer alone, did you?" Fleet Admiral Katherine Morgan was standing in the front door.
"It kind of made sense to think that exact thing." Arthur Steiner-Davion let out accidentally.
"Yeah, well, I'm full of surprises, then, can I come in?" Katherine questioned
He stepped back and she came in.
"Auntie!" Simon declared, "Aunty Kate is here!!"
“My you’ve grown since I last visited.” Katherine smiled.
Hannah stood at the top of the stairs, the quiet one.
"Hugs?" Katherine squatted, and Simon gave her as big a hug as his six year old arms could. Hannah hesitated a moment, then came down the steps and gave her a far more…dignified hug.
"How is she?" Katherine asked, after untangling herself. "Truly, how is she?"
"She's gone back to work, and made me start going back to work too." Arthur admitted, "At this point it's mostly administrative with Gateway anyway, so I've been doing a lot of teaching."
"That's good, Art, it gives the rest of us a chance to at least try to catch up to you…or with you…but you didn't really answer my question."
"Lot of pain, Kate. Lizzie's in a lot of pain, and it's almost all the time. She's not as good at hiding it as she was before we had the kids."
“I heard how everyone wants to help. Must be exhausting.”
"I think that's mostly Helena-everyone knows that Lizzie and Helena are close, so they want to get Helena's…favor? It is exhausting." he admitted.
"Well, I have brought goodies, and we're in port for the month here…" She said it as she followed him up to the mid-level living room, where chairs and a couch were arrayed to face the entertainment center.
"Hannah, could you get your Aunt Katherine something to drink?"
"Water is fine." Katherine interjected.
"Yes, poppa." Hannah headed up to the upper floor where the kitchen was.
“Thank you, Hannah.” Katherine smiled.
“You know you really didn’t have to use your leave on me and the kids. You have your own life to live Kate.” Arthur relaxed in his chair.
"I was in the system anyway, we arrived at Gateway One last night." Katherine told him, "My specific orders were to show the flag and a FedCom presence, given the number of Clan ships coming, and other member-states, Victor thought it was important…and I haven't seen you in several years, except over comm link, Arthur."
"Wait…you brought a ship through the Gates?"
"I brought my battlegroup through the gate, from Broken Wheel, to here, less than twenty hours, that's with FCS Lucien Davion, four Foxes, and all six of our Mako group, plus the support colliers. It's a Star League mission, we're going to be improving coverage in the region….and yeah, we used the Gateways, and they worked just the way you thought they would. Plus we weren’t the first ones. You really need to read your reports."
“Shit.” Arthur shook his head.
"Part of the mission out here, is testing alternate gate links. The Outworlders have run short tests between Joan's Post and Taurus, followed by a Taurus-to-Canopus, followed by a return to Joan's post."
“Not sure I’d call Joan’s Post to Taurus short.”
"They called it 'short'. The Snow Ravens provided the ships. Next meeting, Avellar's going to present their nomination to the Star League. He already has Centrella and Schraplen on board."
“Wow.” Arthur sank back into his chair even further. “I really have been neglecting my work haven’t I?”
"You have been distracted. It happens when someone you love gets sick, Arthur, especially with a terminal illness." she sighed.
“I know. It’s a constant challenge. I love her and I feel sick being away from her even for a moment but I also know I need to give her her space and live my life too.”
"I'm going to guess, since it's seventeen hundred and she's not home, that she's back to being bitchy now that she's on the drugs again." Katherine mused, "am I close?"
"Sometimes. She's gotten better at controlling it…I think?" he responded, "She's terrified she'll end up…"
"Like her mother." Katherine observed, "Yeah. I read the reports during a tour at Mount Asgard. You have nothing to worry about. Lizzie is many things, but she is not an abuser. See, here's a piece of wisdom for my little brother; drugs and alcohol don't change anyone, what they do, is remove the barriers someone puts up to hide their true self. Lizzy is abrasive, abrupt, sometimes crude, she is not a bully or an abuser, unlike her mother, who was."
“Thank god for her friends too though.” Arthur nodded. “Not sure I’d be able to handle all this without them. They help keep her rough edges smooth.”
"It's good to have friends." Katherine agreed. "Well…call her, tell her if she doesn't find time to come home, her sister in law is taking her family out to dinner-you pick the place, I'll pay."
“Thanks, Kate.” Arthur nodded.
"It isn't entirely altruistic, Art, see, mass and space limits in the regulations means I have very few things, yet I am paid extremely well and almost never see the inside of a civilian eating establishment because of the regs on social activities. I want to eat somewhere that isn't a Galley or an Oaken Cudgel…because tonight, I'm spending Leave Time to be with my family."
“'Wait, you actually follow those rules?"
"I follow them, Art, because I'm an Admiral and if I flout the rules, then it gives my subordinates permission to do the same, and that way lies disorder, and eventually, defeat."
“I guess I’m surprised they’re still that strict.”
"Service-wide? No, but in my units? OH you betcha." Katherine told him, "See, I like not having to sign lots of those letters that begin with 'The Federated Commonwealth regrets to inform you that…', so I stick to things I know work. Helena's hard rules work, we're the most elite formation in the AFFC now. I've had Mechwarriors applying to try and get in, and not young punks either. Harsh rules and a rep for success means we draw the most…interesting…applicants."
“Well then we’ll have to make sure this is a night to remember.” Arthur nodded. “But a question, who was first through Gateway?”
“A ship full of volunteers. One of them is here at the university still from what I understand. Something about advanced medical treatments.”
“Not from the trip?”
“No. From the unpleasantness on New Avalon, a Medical transfer emergency, they barely had the New Avalon Gate dried in when they fired it up and sent it through."
“Huh. I’ll be damned. Calling my wife.” Arthur nodded.
A few minutes later, a Coast Guard VTOL settled in the middle of the cul-de-sac, and Her Grace hobbled out, flinching under the wind from the rotors and hobbling with her cane in one hand, and a briefcase in the other.
"She didn't drive?"
"She can't. Not with the risk of seizures, so I finally got her to accept being driven-naturally she chooses a method that scares me when the weather's clear." Arthur only half joked as his wife made her way to the sidewalk, and the chopper lifted off to RTB. Liz managed to regain some dignity by the time she was coming up the walkway from the drive.
Some.
"Kate? Something about you're going to abscond with my husband and children and feed them?" Elibabeth Ngo-Steiner-Davion asked.
"You too." Katherine said, "We moved to live testing on Gateway, first as a medical emergency thing, then…well…"
"I saw the reports this morning." Liz nodded, "IF you want, I can put you up-"
"Post housing is fine, Liz." Katherine said, "I don't want to spend my credibility in luxury apartments while my officers and crew are under Fleet Discipline, even when I'm on leave…which I am tonight."
“I can respect that.” Liz nodded.
“So where shall we go to eat?” Arthur tried to hurriedly change the subject.
Explanation of the Network[]
Star League HQ
Kowloon, Federated Commonwealth (Lyran State)
Gateway 1; Herbania Federated Commonwealth (Melissa Theater-one jump from Kowloon)
Gateway 2; Kenilworth Federated Commonwealth (Broken Wheel theater-near Filtvelt)
Gateway 3: Devil's Breath, Outworlds Alliance
Gateway 4: Menlon Taurian Concordat (One jump from Taurus)
Gateway 5: Hódmezovásárhely Free Worlds League (One jump from Atreus)
Gateway 6: Dili Free Worlds League/Andurien (One jump from Andurien)
Gateway 7: Harbin Capellan Confederation (One jump from Sian)
Gateway 8: Ulsan Draconis Combine (Near Luthien)
Gateway 9: Mangor Magistracy of Canopus (One jump from Canopus)
Gateway A0: New Avalon, Federated Suns
Gateway A1: Keid Disputed (One Jump from Terra)
Gateway A2: Warrumbungle Federated Commonwealth (Near Tharkad)
Galeway A3: Tukayyiid system
Gateway W0: Gibson, FWL
Gateway C0: York, Clan Homeworlds
Gateway C1: Honor system, near the Clan Homeworlds
Gateway C2: Dante, Outworlds Alliance
Gateway C3: Sudeten, Falcon Khanate
Gateway C4: Tamar, Wolf Khanate
Gateway C5: Rasalhague, Rassalhague Dominion
Gateway C6: Irece, Draconis Combine (Novacat Reservation)
"The letter identifier indicates a specific network separate from the main sequence of nine original locations." Elizabeth explained, "It's important to keep in mind the timing, the gates between destinations are active only while they're active and both ends are activated. We're still working on protocols for the Alpha, and Charlie networks so that the openings can be scheduled reliably."
"What about the 'W' Network?" Thomas Marik asked.
"Well, that's why I asked for this meeting." she said, "We don't know where the Word of Blake located the other end of that, or how many 'other ends' there are, they didn't buy the gear from me, but it's definitely Word of Blake that built the ring in the Gibson system, so they're not on the net, and I don't have even a proposal from their representative…but they're doing it in your space, and I reason they're not doing it without your permission…so…" she spread her hands, "if they're going to link into the rest of the network I kinda need to know if they're going to be using the same clock signal protocol, or not, and how many links are going through that one. I'd like to avoid having to find out via Lawsuits for violating their contract agreement."
"Most of these are inactive?" He asked.
"Most of them are still in work. There's been some initial testing by the FedCom contractors, including a fleet movement and an emergency medical evacuation from the aftermath of the coup attempt on New Avalon, but you'll note, most of the single-digit gates will be fully operational by October of this year, and the C-series gates by August of this year, including C0 in the York system."
"You prioritized it."
"I did." Elizabeth nodded, "The Blood Spirits are in a bad position there and they know it. Most of their traditional 'allies' have left the Kerensky Cluster, and their enemies are consolidating, while most of York's resources are…less than ideal. We're planning to help them move out before their domestic enemies decide to come wreak a mighty atrocity on them as the consolation prize for failing against us."
"You seem to think that's a certainty?"
"Clanner Psychology. The combined Star Vipers are going to need to punch someone to look tough, the other Clans in the region are too healthy and large, leaves a limited target selection and the Spirits haven't exactly been in a great position for a long time-they're going to be targeted, they have one bolt-hole we were told about when I sponsored them in, and if they don't evacuate, we'll still want the link to send reinforcements, military aid, or a counterattack if they're hit."
“We already have reports that the Clan Homeworlds are experiencing disruptions from the Elbar Declaration being transmitted to them. Having faced them in battle and understanding them the way I do, fights are about to break out if they haven’t already. And not small ones.” Victor offered.
"Yep." Liz said, "What happens when you get that kind of Chaos, Tom? Historically. Ideologues get people moving in directions they wouldn't, if they were thinking, choose to. Wars and civil wars. That region's about to become the biggest pot of chaos in human space, and remember…we have two Star League Member States in there, and the Star League Charter requires some things-like protecting the sovereignty of member states."
“If it really comes down to us having to protect Clans… That will go over like a lead balloon for a lot of our troops.” Victor shook his head.
"It's all in how you frame it." Liz said, "For example, framing the mission as asserting the Star League's sovereignty and incidentally teaching them a lesson about attacking our allies and dependencies-showing that Membership means something...and it probably won't hurt to include additional combat bonuses and some prize law."
“There’s a lot of grousing about them being our allies now. Still it’s better than them coming down the Crimson Shadow Road as refugees.” Victor nodded.
"But we're going to need to settle on protocols for the gateways even if the rest of the Council votes to stay out of it...the action in the Clan sphere, anyway." Elizabeth continued, "Which is why I called the meeting. We need to set those protocols now, while it's still just nine operational stations, so we have them, as we add networks."
"Why not just have a central authority run the net?" Sun Tzu (attending by HPG remote) asked.
"Because monopolies are bad." Liz said, "The Terran Ministry of Communications had a monopoly on Interstellar Communications and international banking, please note the following and look 'em up because I know everyone here has a copy of Focht's tell-all. 'Holy Shroud'...which they couldn't have done, if they didn't own the entire HPG network in a way that let them cover their tracks and identify targets. Still, we need the Gateways to be able to link or they're wasted money-so we need a common protocol and set of rules and priorities that each operator knows they can use because it will work...and it needs to be able to be expanded as new gates come on line."
“We’ll still need some sort of central authority to ensure compliance, handle international issues, and regulate usage.” Sun Tzu countered.
"I'm open to suggestions on what." Liz opined, "I mean, I know who I'd pick...but I doubt it would make anyone here happy."
"Who?"
"The Guild of Independent Spacers, Haulers, and Stationers, their official rep is Ivar Thorssen, from the Jarnfolk." she said, "the network is made for express shipping, the Guild's entire structure is about moving goods and people from place to place, most of them are independents because they don't have ties to any established polity aside from the Guild, and unlike Comstar, they're not a remnant of a foreign government or a Cult."
"And you're holding their proxy." Sun Tzu said, "That is too much power and authority for someone who is only sovereign in a single star system."
“There is an alternative. Someone else who can speak for the Guild. Rachel Anne Jennings.” Helena offered.
"She's a Pathfinder, which means she has serious juice." Liz agreed, "there's only like sixty of them in the whole of human space-at least, from what I know of them, she knows how to do the job and I'll be more than happy to hand her back the proxy."
Sun Tzu seemed to concentrate for a moment. "You aren't even going to argue? You're just going to give up that power…? Why?"
"Because I don't want it." Liz said, "I like building it, I like seeing the world get a little less violently insane…I don't imagine myself being good enough for long enough for that power to be used for good in my hands. I'm dying again."
This reminder stopped him up short, "I'd heard…the cure did not take, do you have your new timeline?"
"I'm in early stage two, means if they don't find me an out in ten years, I'll be needing euthanasia by the time I'm fifty. That's not long enough to administer something like the Gateways and do a decent job. The treatments bought me ten years of sanity, maybe fifteen, but either way, I am not the person to handle this job and I know it…and you don't trust Victor, and you know it, and you don't trust Theodore, and Theodore doesn't have the slack to trust any of the other lords, who don't have the slack to trust each other, and so on. Out of the seated Council members, Mtich Avellar, Barbara Sennet, Magestrix Centrella, or Grover Schraplen are the only people that can pull more than half the votes…and Helena, of course, but that turns it into a Royal Ministry again, and Comstar's our object lesson on why doing that is a bad idea."
“When you put it that way, Rachel Anne Jennings is acceptable.” Sun Tzu relented.
"Yet you are still doing all the work of an Administrator." Thomas observed.
"She hasn't been confirmed yet, someone has to do the work, and I started it before I got sick again." Liz allowed. "I can at least hand off a working prototype before…I'm too screwed up to be useful."
"But with all the people working on your cure-"
"I plan like it will fail, so that if it succeeds I get to enjoy the result, and if it fails, well…then it's not a disaster." Liz asserted, "Same way I run my government-I built it so that if the worst happens, it's not a ****** crisis."
“All right then perhaps we should vote on the appointment of Rachel Anne Jennings then get into the weeds of Gateway protocols.” Victor nodded.
Outside the Council Chamber, after six hours of post-vote attempts by Elizabeth to explain how to build a digital protocol, (which ended with the council blindly voting in her draft proposal), Helena Cameron was stopped by Ariel Suvarov.
"She plans for it to fail, quiaff?"
“Yes. She feels it is better that way and I don’t disagree.”
"How can someone live like that? Always planning for their doom? Always expecting things to go wrong?"
“It’s hard to explain to someone who hasn’t been through the things I and Elizabeth have. But ultimately we both have seen what happens if you don’t.”
"If you can't afford to lose it, you can't afford to use it." Liz came out of the ladie's room, leaning on her cane and looking drawn, pupils dilated on Stimulants to hold off the utter exhaustion of the seizure she'd just endured. "I build everything on contingencies-there's my main objective, then there are other objectives that are served if I fail to achieve it the first time, and other means ready if I have to keep after it. "The bathroom's clear ladies, I didn't leave a mess this time."
“I must return to my Clan. The reports I am receiving, they need me back in the homeworlds.” Ariel nodded.
Liz nodded. "Wish you could wait a month, we could send you back through York, but if you gotta go, you gotta go."
“Hmmm… The transit times might mean I could stay the month then go through your gateway and be there in the same amount of time overall.” Ariel contemplated. “Very well. I will stay the month. Perhaps I could be of some use here yet in the meantime.”
"Well, while you're here…" Liz said, "...you should talk to Nathan Silvermann about picking up some…goodies to take home, and maybe the Sithers group about toys to put ON those goodies. We can't sell you nukes, but we can sell you small-scale mass drivers, that's 'light naval gauss' weapons, that fit pretty well on a Silver Streak's hull as a fixed forward mount."
“Thank you. I will reach out.” Ariel bowed her head.
Ariel was out of earshot, "You're selling them GUNSHIPS?"
Liz shrugged, "Need to keep the production lines going." she swallowed, "They're Star League members, seems like a good choice, given the relics they're running around with now."
“No you’re right. The signs are there. The uprisings that started this whole mess. There’s going to be a follow up and soon. We need to keep the lines producing.” Helena shook her head.
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Landmark Class Destroyer
"I'd be selling her Destroyers if the FedCom didn't have an exclusive on those." Elizabeth confided. "But selling them Silver Streaks with a dorsal mount is almost as good."
“Maybe we should invest in expanding the Hood slipways, get a cruiser design worked up that we can sell to others.”
"Export Cruisers? I like the way you think, but you'll need Victor to buy off on the concept, I don't own the Hood system. Ioto's got a beautiful concept they're trying to shop, it's better than a Molly, at least, Jane thinks it might be, but the Estates is balking at the cost."
“Hmmm true. Then perhaps a better location would be one of the systems we’re giving one of the Clans. They’ll need the orbital infrastructure anyway for their fleets.”
"Slip it into the proposal for the aid packages." Liz said, "I know a few contractors who would adore getting work on that scale, and some of them don't owe me money yet."
“Sure and now onto the busy life of being First Lord.” Helena smiled.