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Strategos (A Great Captain Roberts Tale!!) - Part 3 - A Light In The Black -
Chapter 19 - Slightly less Horrible[]
Gathering of Leaders[]
"I want you to imagine something…
… because it is going to explain a lot." David Foster was on a long range call back to Dante. On the imager, the saKhan and most of the Clan's council were gathered.
"We all grew up on The Remembrance... well, most of us did. The Histories of the Clans, at least." He folded his hands, and checked. <Billie Hoel and Victoria are monitoring.> Alice's text message noted.
"But I want you to imagine what would have happened, if The Great Father had been less… great, after the founding of the Pentagon cluster. I want you to imagine what would have happened, if the Founder, Nicholas Kerensky, were less insightful, less understanding, and far less disciplined. What would have erupted from that? What was erupting when Nicholas Kerensky took charge and led Operation:Klondike?" he paused dramatically. "Got that image in your minds, quiaff?"
"Aff, what is your point?"
"We know Elizabeth Cameron lived, hell, you can talk to her, she is on Mitchell Avellar's shadow cabinet now, holding down the Foreign Minister's alternate… What we are facing is the twisted mirror of what could have happened to OUR ancestors, if not for Nicholas Kerensky's foresight, and his Father's mortality. They had the same plan OUR ancestors did, but not the same foresight or insight to guide them. The Sons of Plunder are what our ancestors very nearly became before they were stopped."
He turned to the side, "Roberts, your presentation is prepared?"
"Yes, sir."
Mission Presentation: Sons of Plunder[]
"Know yourself, and know your enemy…
…and you will be undefeated in every battle," Amanda intoned. "That's the wisdom anyway. If you know yourself, but not your enemy, you will walk a balance of victory and defeat. Also from that ancient wisdom. If you know neither yourself, nor your enemy, you have nothing but defeat. I think Nicholas cribbed that for his writings, but at least as far back as the 27th century, it was ancient enough that SLDF's training archives included the quote without bothering with the entire text it came from. For that, I referenced archival information titled 'The Art of War' by a pre-spaceflight savant that the Cappies named their Chancellor after." She paused, "You may laugh at me now, I have made the obligatory joke."
Her image flickered, then stabilized again. "Our enemy's core force is descended from the 9th Royal CAAN Brigade, but it's really HHQ for the remnants of a Star League Territorial Army. That is, multiple SLDF Corps level units, with attached naval assets… and they've maintained their numbers through a combination of terraforming equipment from DOME operations, kidnapping civilians, slavery, and secrecy… But they began, as a humanitarian recovery effort trying to salvage the Star League in the face of the largest multi-sided civil war in human history. And some of the resources they took were intended for Royal use in a time of peace."
She took off her cool hat, letting her hair spill free as she undid the ribbon holding the braids together. "Unlike Aleksandr Kerensky, Leftenant General Ernest Lovegoode had a royal heir of the Cameron Line to give his effort legitimacy."
Images on subchannels made insert illustrations. "Elizabeth Cameron, Daughter of Simon Cameron and Jessica Drillson, Richard's primary heir until he married his wife and produced offspring. The 'heir and a spare' were taken on Terra by Amaris loyalists, likely inside Star League Intelligence, and moved to be held as a prisoner at the secret prison on Devil's Breath. This happened almost under Kerensky's nose, in the frantic hours after the coup and before the Usurper sent his message declaring a new empire." She paused. "The dates from Devil's Breath are in the attached files, or you can look over what we recovered when we took Devil's Breath three years ago."
Amanda brushed her hair back with one hand, "you can read those later, if you want. The important part is that her first tour through that political prison only lasted a bit over twenty years. She was rescued by members of the 9th CAAN who stumbled across it by accident while trying to get things organized in the Outworlds." She met the camera with a level gaze, "They did what they were supposed to do... but by the time they did it, the Commanding General and the entire General Staff were already gone."
She sighed, "So they did the next best thing. They took her into hiding, and accepted the orders of their royal sovereign… Which orders were to save as many people, and as much of the Star League, as they could, while not revealing themselves. At that time, the remnant was not large enough to be more than an easy range target for House Lords destroying whole star systems in their greed and rapaciousness."
On the insets, images of standing orders flickered open. "These orders came from her, as First Lord, to her loyal units. They were to assist refugees and establish a secure location for rebuilding, with the intent of an eventual return to stabilize the rest of the Star League."
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Elizabeth Cameron
Amanda Roberts' image paused. "In a classroom, this is where the instructor would ask the students to speculate on what happened-I'm not an instructor, this is not a classroom. What happened is, Elizabeth Cameron did not get older, but she had children, and those children grew up under those orders, with an army that grew under those orders, and grew restless."
She glanced off camera, "Hold it Saya, I think I can guess your question, we're getting there."
"In 2861, her grandchild, Sylvia Guffney-Cameron, realized she would never ascend to the throne legitimately. Along with Sylvia's husband, General Gerald Guffney and the great-grandson of General Lovegoode, overthrew their sovereign and installed Sylvia as First Lord, changing the title to Basileus. And Elizabeth Cameron was tossed back into the hole on Devil's Breath, because she was too important and vital to the culture they'd built to execute, and too dangerous to be left free." Amanda paused, "Not physically dangerous, but in terms of being a danger to her successors and their rule. She would remain there until thirty-one-sixteen, when we liberated that facility, found her cell, and freed her."
Amanda paused. "There are holes in what we know. We know that under her rule, the 9th CAAN and the other remnant units they managed to gather, were committed to building a 'Star League in Exile'. And that the title, the claim and the underlying assertion were only slightly changed when her granddaughter Sylvia took over via a coup d'etat in 2861. We know that the Guffney-Cameron line has, since, ruled that 'star league' hidden state since. Armies are bureaucracies, and this one left a lot of records on Michtal and Tresspass. Enough we can track, within a decade or two, the degeneration from an effort at preservation, to a malignant parasite-state hidden behind a veil of secrecy and misdirection.
"
"The key here is we know where they got the facilities to maintain a fleet, and an army. We know from direct encounters that they've rigidly maintained their fleet and army without making innovations of their own, and we know something else…"
Images of medical analysis, autopsies, and medical inspections of enemy prisoners appeared, "We know they have a breeding program…of sorts…and an inbreeding problem among the officer class."
Amanda straightened. "The Sons of Plunder are everything that could have gone wrong with Operation Exodus… Except what could have made putting them down easier."
Amanda waited as if for commentary, then began again.
"We also know, after careful document surveys and examinations by medical personnel, that they have no ties to the so-called 'not named clan'. Either the remnant never reached this far, or they did not stop or make contact. The information and evidence are in the attachments, along with supplementary presentations and the Kolossus astronomical data showing likely zones where the Sons have placed their core of operations. I invite the Clan's general staff to examine those for the making of further war plans. But now, you have a historical background and we have confirmed a few possibilities as false. Thank you for your time."
Blessings[]
"You have known for three…
…years about this." Helena glared at Amanda Roberts as she came out of the recording booth. "Three years, you knew who Elizabeth was."
Amanda shook her head. "I really didn't," she said. "The document dive that put it together wasn't me. I was too busy seeing if I could make Doakes scream himself to death for what he was doing to the OTHER prisoners." She tapped her head: "Unstable at the time, crazy, koo-koo-ka-choo, half a pallet short, and brain damaged."
“Breathe in, breathe out. Let the anger go…” Helena whispered as she steadied herself. “Okay… I believe you.”
"I'm an Outworlder Director General, from Sevon V. Angry is where we start, it's why we're so obsessed with peace." There was no levity in Amanda's tone. "If I'd known then, what I have learned, your sister might not have survived to make a recovery because I wasn't rational back then."
“After Stacey ran off, and with everything that happened before, well… Family is a hot button of mine. So I’m just glad everything worked out despite all the variables conspired for it not to have. And it also makes me happy to hear the progress you have made.”
"Here is where we differ, Helena…" Amanda said. "I don't think it's worked out at all. I think we're having to fix it."
“Yes. You are right. I needed to specify that you both have gotten a second chance despite everything. But we do need to fix this too.”
"The brief is up. I did my last big job for my staffer, and I need to get back to work, Ma'am," Amanda said. "Howe's on post now. The Evanescent is ready to go. We have eleven systems to survey in less than a year, just on my docket alone, not mentioning the survey work from your Fleet, the rest of the Recon squadron, and confirming the Kolossus data. It is my intention to find them, run them to ground, and drop the combined battle fleet right on their heads. And Director General? The main enemy is also one of your relatives."
“Agreed. We’re not going to win this war by staying idle. And yes, we’ll have to deal with that too when the time comes. Still, try and keep in touch?”
"You're going to be backup for us, you're going to be PART of the operation," Amanda stated. "Keeping in touch is not going to be a problem."
“Yes, but you know what I meant. Stacey still really looks up to you, you know. You should at least write her or something.”
"Stacey needs a role model who is more like Admiral Foster or Captain Nichols," Amanda speculated aloud. "But I'll write… or something, maybe she won't make my mistakes."
“That is all I can ask for. Now I need to get back as well. Admiral Foster is giving me the eye. I can feel it.”
"So make him show you his booty," Amanda joked. "Though you might have to arm wrestle Billie Siegel to get a good look."
“Now there is a headache. I’ve never had to deal with the source of an AI as well as their AI version at the same time before.”
"I think Leon might have objections, so don't take my advice," Amanda noted. "I have to get to dock Seven. There are stars out there I haven't been to yet, and I need to get used to having a new crew."
“I do hope someday our relationship can become less formal, but for now I’ll take what I can get.”
"We'll do a party again," Amanda offered. "After we win this. You've already been to a Sevon V christening, and those are pretty mild."
“I can already hear Simon chiding me about my alcohol consumption. But I still look forward to it.”
"I'll do it too-you get regular sex, you don't need booze." Amanda quipped, as the lift opened. "This is my ride down to the dock."
“May your voyage be blessed with the winds at your back and calm seas.”
"May you never be drowned in paperwork. Where I intend to sail, there is only storm and tumult and the Stars at my Feet."
You are the new Larry[]
"At last, I am…
…whole again" was, maybe, the wrong thing to say. The repairs to Evanescent had included quite a lot of newer equipment. They'd left her ship's armory mostly alone, substituting most of the outdated Nighthawk suits for Aeries, most of the Mausers for Clan model, and adding additional lifts and transfers to expand the fighter and smallcraft bays to handle heavier airframes and a larger Marine contingent.
But the Feel of her ship? Was still Evanescent. Right down to repainting the Outworlds Resistance symbology in the ship's p-ways, and a buff and shine to the dedication plaque near the CIC.
"You didn't let them go over budget, did you, Lori?" Amanda asked.
"I did not," Lori Crowe said. "I verified every bolt, weld, rivet, and fastener…"
"That's good. I didn't interview anyone else for Quartermaster after I really thought about it," Amanda told her. "You're the XO, you're also QM until or unless you can find someone better-which you won't, at least, not this trip. You're my new Larry."
"But… but I'm also your Intel officer!!"
"Which is a job made a lot easier for you, since you'll be filing the same reports," Amanda concluded. "Pick someone else. I know we have additional Watch plants, to fill that job for the foreign half of it. You're already my minder from the Clan Watch, this just simplifies both our lives-you'll be giving Acton Howe the same data anyway, so might as well simplify the task all 'round. The political officer is also the XO, see? Simpler."
"For you," Lori sighed, then smiled. "You mean it?"
"I mean it. I can't give it to Samuel. I need him doing great, crazy, mad scientist engineering miracles, not fretting over the cost and quantity of ship's stores or checking the pay-stubs for discrepancies. But you have to report that stuff to the Watch, so you'd be checking it anyway-this way, it's simpler for everyone involved since you'll be using primary sources instead of trying to peek in with subtlety and thus, missing details."
"Okay, but do you think I'm ready??""
Amanda gave a half smile, "Larry thought so, and I think so… so yeah, you're ready. I'm using his recommendations because after half a year in dock, I can't find anything wrong with them. Historically, on Privateers in the age of sailing ships, the Quartermasters were the Executive Officers. Well… you're my XO, and you're already trained to do the Quartermaster job according to the previous QM, so you're ready. If I bite it doing something stupid, I know you'll get our ship and crew to safety."
"Are you? Going to do something stupid?" Lori asked. "I know you've been doing a lot of psychiatric counseling…"
"I…" Amanda paused, straightening up, "...Am The GREAT! CAPTAIN!! ROBERTS!!!" She gave her new XO a crooked grin, "...of course I'm going to do something mind-blowingly amazing, and probably stupid. It's baked into me, it's part of the reputation, it's why we get good recruits, and all the coolest jobs."
"The doctors didn't do anything good for you at all, did they?" Lori wondered.
"Sure they did, I accepted my failure as the course of things, instead of wallowing in it," Amanda responded tartly. "I know I can lose now. So now, I know I have to use more than daring and bravado to win-but that doesn't mean I'm going to stop being daring, or brave, or taking risks. I'm just going to be a little more aware and careful about it, and maybe listen a little more than I was when we blundered into the Grankum system."
"Where are we going?" Lori asked.
Amanda's smile didn't waver. "We're going into danger, Miss Lori. We're going to take a look into danger. Gather the senior staff in CIC in forty five minutes, then get ready to load stores for a three month trip without underway replenishment or contact with allies… because we're going out to take pictures."
Issues with the saKhan[]
"She is a…
…war criminal. By her own admission!" Ibn Said Lankeneau stormed. "Elizabeth Cameron-"
"Is dead. You're having a problem with Jane Drillson. The person who has to bear the memories of being Elizabeth Cameron, and is desperately seeking to redeem herself, to make… what do you call it? Oh yes, Surkai for what she did while the rest of humanity was burning civilization to the ground." Mitchell Avellar's tone didn't escalate as he faced the saKhan of Clan Snow Raven. "She's helping with the war effort, she's also trying to build a life beyond the terrorized, traumatized, victim of Amaris that she was when she made those mistakes, Ibn Said Lankeneau."
The Warrior hesitated, his outrage halted by a mild civilian man many times his senior, who stood unarmed in his path.
"Stand aside."
"You can strike me down, Ibn Said Lankeneau, saKhan, but it won't make what you're planning right. It won't make me a liar, it will only demonstrate you fear what I have to say," Avellar continued calmly. "I will not yield in this."
The saKhan raised his fist as if to strike, only to find his own bodyguard grabbing his arm and saying, "No. That would bring dishonor on all of us!"
The Warrior leader scowled, but lowered his hand.
"I believe, saKhan, you have duties, a war to fight." President Avellar suggested. "I think you should attend to those, yes?"
"Of course, Mister President." Ibn Said agreed sullenly. "This is not over."
"No, I imagine it is not over, however, it can be put off until we are no longer eyebrows deep in a major war, wouldn't you agree?"
The saKhan's shoulders slumped. "Aff. My… apologies."
"Are accepted," Avellar said simply. He did not move from the doorway until the saKhan was leaving the building.
The AI remote for Maori watched as an unarmed man faced down five Suited Elementals and a saKhan without a single thing in his hand, and made them back off using nothing but his words, and a sort of mad, absolute courage.
<No, that was absolute Righteousness.> Maori sent a recording through the fleet’s mobile HPGs.
<I still think I need to teach the saKhan a lesson, but for now keep an eye on the situation Maori. If Avellar needs help keeping him in check you are authorized to step in. Or if he shows signs of trying to find an alternate solution let me know and I will teach him why House Cameron has the only true First Lords of the Star League.> Helena used the mobile HPGs of her fleet to respond to the situation.
<Of course, your Ladyship. For now, you have duties to attend to.>
Fleet Exercise 3119[]
“You know what they’re really trying to do don’t you?” Tartar looked at Haida and Piorun.
“Yeah. They’ve stacked the deck so hard that they are hoping we’ll break the rules of engagement and cheat with our full firepower so they can gauge what it would be like to actually fight us. So we’ll cheat a different way. There’s a flaw in the scenario and Helena has seen it. Special Directive 17a. You know those three Leopard CVs they’ve given us because we lack organic ASF bays? Let’s use them properly. Also arrange for a discreet call to Mashona and Zulu. If we’re going to cheat, we might as well cheat hard.” Haida grinned mischievously.
“I think I know where this is going and I like it.” Piorun giggled.
“They won’t like what we’re going to do.” Tartar caught on to the idea.
Fleet Exercise 3119-April-12
Blue force objectives:
- Protect naval base Roberts’ Nest
- Protect civilian and military merchant shipping in system
Blue force composition:
Naval Base M9 Pavise pattern station Roberts’ Nest
Cameron Class Battlecruiser Kerensky’s Hope
Invader Class Jumpship CSRMS Crowe’s Nest
x2 Isegrim Class Assault Dropships
x1 Carrier Class Light Fighter Carrier Dropship
x1 Vanir Class Fighter Carrier Dropship
x1 Arcadia Class Dropship
x30 Aerospace Fighters
Non combatant targets Blue Force must protect:
Merchant Class Jumpship OWS Diligent Work
2x Condor Class Troopship Dropships
Tramp Class Jumpship OWS Honest Work
3x Mule Class Transport Dropships
Invader Class Jumpship Debtor’s Escape
1x Mammoth Class Transport Dropship
2x Monarch Class Passenger Dropships
Expected to arrive inside AO of Exercise to join existing protectees:
Merchant Class Jumpship Coreward Express
2x Buccaneer Class Transport Dropships
Invader Class Jumpship Albion’s Fortune
3x Mule Class Transport Dropships
Special Forced Withdrawal rules as follows:
Capital vessels that suffer more than 50% armor loss on any facing must begin withdrawing
All other forces operate under standard forced withdrawal rules
Red Force has a maximum of 14 standard days to destroy or capture as much tonnage as possible.
Scoring for Blue Force:
1 point for every 1,000 tons(or fraction thereof all mass summed before division) that remains in control of Blue Force/Neutral or leaves AO after 14 days
10 points additional for each Red Force ASF destroyed or forced to withdraw
100 points for each Red Force Dropship destroyed or forced to withdraw
1000 points for each Red Force Warship destroyed or forced to withdraw
Red Force composition:
M-5.1 Caspar SDS SLS Haida standing in for a Sons of Plunder Lola III
M-5.1 Caspar SDS SLS Piorun standing in for a Sons of Plunder Lola III
M-5.1 Caspar SDS SLS Tartar standing in for a Sons of Plunder Lola III
18 fighters from naval base Roberts’ Nest acting as their fighter contingent
Leopard CV Class Dropship OWS Langley's Dream-not actually participating in the battle directly and thus not considered a valid target, acting as a stand in for the fighter bays of a standard Lola III that the M-5.1 Caspars lack
Leopard CV Class Dropship OWS Ranger’s Revenge-not actually participating in the battle directly and thus not considered a valid target, acting as a stand in for the fighter bays of a standard Lola III that the M-5.1 Caspars lack
Leopard CV Class Dropship OWS Baern’s Best-not actually participating in the battle directly and thus not considered a valid target, acting as a stand in for the fighter bays of a standard Lola III that the M-5.1 Caspars lack
Red Force is authorized to utilize Special Directive 17a
Red force objectives:
Primary:
Think like a Pirate
Destroy or cripple naval base Roberts’ Nest
Secondary:
Destroy or capture as much merchant shipping as possible.
Scoring is as follows for Red Force:
1 point for every 1,000 (or fraction thereof, all masses summed before division) tons of vessel captured or destroyed.
10 points additional for each Blue Force Aerospace or Omnifighter destroyed or forced to withdraw
100 points for each Blue Force Dropship destroyed or forced to withdraw.
1000 points for destroying either Naval Station Roberts’ Nest or Kerensky’s Hope (or for forcing Kerenky’s Hope to withdraw)