The Bull and the Genie[]
Chapter 59 - Book III - The Clan Invasion[]
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The Primus and the General[]
Clan Occupation Zone, Inner Sphere
Frederick's Quarters were… Spartan, but then that wasn't unusual among Clanners, Will thought. Still you could learn about a man. There was a reader on his desk, chips by it, reports and such, some books, neatly packed away in a portable bookshelf, a few pictures of memorabilia, including oddly enough, a picture of the first landing on the moon.
And music.
She left with a driven look in her eyes
Came back around with it still inside
They said give it some time
And you'll forget about it too
We know they always do…
"Interesting Song," Will said. "Clan?"
"Old Terra," Frederick said. "By an artist named Bruce Hornsby. I find it… strange sometimes, when I consider I am listening to a man over a thousand years gone. Though, I have to admit, I was always amused by your focus on my interest in comic books." The large man looked over at Will, looming over the Primus, even sitting down. "How many papers did that generate?"
"Too many. Do you know that your interest in X-Men indicates a desire to replace humanity with genetically evolved superhumans?" Will tilted his head. "Since we're coming to peace, care to satisfy an old man's curiosity?"
"Aff. I was always interested in the frontiers of the mind… Something not generally encouraged among the Clans." Frederick chuckled. "Not that they were encouraged among your worlds, now were they? At least until Protector Edward made his move."
"Lensmen, Star Trek, Superman… created by men and women who were locked to one single world—sometimes one single city for all their lives, and they wanted to be more." Frederick held a book in his hand,
SPACE CADET it read.
"And then we entered space and had all the worlds we wanted and yet, somehow… We became less. Turned inward. Clan and Inner Sphere alike, focused on the cradle of humanity, like children, fearful of leaving home."
"And yet you invaded us."
"I am Clan, Aff? And I was given a duty, which I did to the best of my ability, although I failed." Frederick shook his head. "I suppose I should not be so hard on everyone else."
"Any regrets?"
"I should have considered striking the Combine first. Even under Theodore they were fragile." Frederick shrugged. "But it would have been impossible to convince the Clan Council of this."
"Well, don't take it wrong, I'm happy you didn't. But on that, you've provided your outline for command handovers, for which I thank you, but you know that not all of the people who followed you are going to be welcome at home…"
"I know. However, the agreement mandates no punishments…"
"And you and I both know that such agreements are often honored in the breach, both in the Inner Sphere and the Clans." Will tilted his head. "But I do have a thought on it. You know that you are part of the bidding for the battle on Terra."
"Aff. I find it interesting, that I am so important."
"Well, since Either way, you'll be in my custody, how about if I could make a bargain to help everyone who might not feel comfortable staying in the OZ, and yet wouldn't fit in the Clans…"
"You have a proposal, quiaff?"
"How much do you know about the Outworlds Alliance and old Traders Domain?"
"Not a great deal," Frederick said. "But you are going to tell me…"
"War's more or less over. People want to go home. The UMC has to deal with the remains of the Combine, and we have a lot of pirates heading out to those old worlds. Now we can hunt 'em down, but ultimately, the only way to deal with pirates is to make the region wealthy enough that they can hold them off and the pirate lifestyle isn't attractive."
"And I could help."
"Place is too small, population wise to provide a threat, even if you do decide to go McKenna, and isn't the whole idea of the Clans that you have a duty to the benighted people of the rest of human space?"
Frederick chuckled. "Aff."
"And I have an added benefit for you. Wynn's Roost is as far as we can tell the only world with a direct link to the Hegemony. They never left it, and if you were to go, they would have to make you Commander in Chief of the Hegemony military."
"And how big is this military?"
"'Bout a regiment… But…" Will grinned, looking at Frederick. "Ah, Youth, for all your interest in history you don't know."
"I do not."
"Well, the last individual to be Commander in Chief of the Hegemony was a certain Aleksandr Sergeyevich Kerensky."
Frederick was silent for a moment. "If I ever even intended to return home, I would not survive the trials over that."
"Never know, all the conservatives might keel over from stress induced heart attacks."
"We have genetically removed most traits associated with high blood pressure." Frederick nodded. "Those wishing to come with me… I will accept your offer, but only if you accept a counter offer."
"What?"
"Any expressing interest in leaving their worlds be offered the chance to go anywhere, not just with me. I do not want people forced to follow me, only those willing."
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Tramp Class JumpShip
"Bargained well and done." Will paused. "Any thing else you want?"
"I will study and have a list for you, but I know that new production is seeing older Tramp and Merchant class JumpShips being phased out. I would like them. The will be needed to forge an effective commercial union, which is what military strength is based upon. I would also like your intelligence on any pirate groups in the region, especially those who have not yet committed unforgivable crimes."
"Gonna hire them?"
"It would be less expensive than destroying them."
"I'll do that. Also, Hanse wants a promise you won't invade the Inner Sphere."
"I tried that once, and failed, and the forces—do they really overestimate my abilities that much?"
"Aff." Will smirked. "Aff."