Tharkad nadir Jump point. September 1st 3069
The LCS Simon Marsden Opened a channel for her Flag Officer. "Tharkad System Control, this is Admiral Jessica Doenitz LCN. We are escorting a large supply convoy in with troops to aid in distribution. Unit incoming is the 4th Royal Guards RCT 'Pride of the Commonwealth'. We will not engage existing forces planetside unless they interfere with LCAF Operations to restore basic sevices and integrate Tharkad back into the Commonweath. ROE for LCAF forces is Lima one. All other forces in system are requested to stand down and be ready to assist in further relief efforts."
(OOC Note: Invasion orders were the only way to get the troops in system and on planet. Combat is at GM's discression.)
4th Royals (48 total RP)
LCN NAVAL DET MARSDEN (52 total FP)
The age-worn face that greeted Admiral Doenitz was instantly recognizeable to any officer in Lyran service.
"Admiral Dönitz," said the woman, "This is General of the Armies Nondi Steiner, acting in my lawful capacity of Regent until such time as a new Archon is appointed. As long as your forces agree to submit to the Commonwealth chain of command you are cleared to land."
"I must state in the most certain terms, however: your decision to support Robert Kelswa's claim to the throne casts your loyalties into question. Any attempt to seize the throne for the pretender from Skye will be dealt with immediately and permanently."
"You heard the General, people. Let's get these troops on the ground." She turned back to General Steiner. "General I am going to patch you through to the ground commander. I'm sure he will be delighted to know you're alive."
****
Kommandant-General Daniel Russell opened the comm channel. "Guten Abend Frau General, we are here to assist in the relief efforts as stated in the initial communications. Should you desire I will gladly meet with you to discuss the situation. As we are LCAF troops the only chain of command we follow is the lawful one. The fact that you are alive does not change my orders what it does do is prevent the unneeded loss of life. I will meet you planetside at your convienence General."
LCS Expedition, Tharkad Space, 2 September 3069
"Sir, we have arrived, all ships seem to be in, well, the condition that they were when we left and... ah, it seems we're not the first to arrive. I have a warship not far from us - the Simon Marsden? She's broadcasting the expected LCAF codes... not sure who she's declared for, but she's not in our group."
Colonel Hermann Taks, grunted at the comm officer. "Well, whoever the hell they are, let's hope their not in the mood to shoot at what passes for a humanitarian mission these days. How's Tharkad look?"
"From here, sir, can't really say. We'll have to wait for the droppers to get closer before we'll have a solid idea of what to expect."
"Give me an open signal then - toss the bait and see who bites." The young officer... what was his name again... handed Taks a microphone. "Attention people of Tharkad, this is Colonel Hermann Taks of the 21st Lyran Jagdgeschwader. We have arrived with relief for the people of the capital - a number of dropships will be landing on Tharkad with food, clean water, clothing and medical supplies. Military forces will only accompany if it becomes necessary to ensure orderly distribution. We are, at present, ignorant of your situation - we ask that local authority guide our landing and direct us to the areas of greatest need."
Tharkad System.
"Expedition, this is LCS Simon Marsden, welcome to the party. I'm sure system control will be replying to your query shortly. Maintain station an await clearance from system control."
Tharkad System.
"General, you are not seriously going to listen to Nondi Steiner are you?" Daniel chuckled. "Yes WE are going to listen to her. I will try and explain the circumstances to her. She is the legal regent. Katie dearest made sure of that and Peter never removed the 'regent' title. So unless the Estates general votes her out or she drops dead she is the boss. It's an ugly situation but the estates general would vote in Charlemange before they elected her which would cause the LCAF to split in two quicker than you can say FedCom." He chuckled. "Nondi should have retired to Gallery years ago but she's here and she has stroke. Soooo we listen to her and try to convince her that Robert's motives are to reforge the Commonwealth and not enrich Skye."
"Roger, Marsden. We received no word of other LCAF relief efforts. Under whose authority are you here?"
Tharkad Space
0820 Local
"We are clear sir. Dropships report status green."
"Very good. Let us reach out and touch someone."
"People of Tharkad, I am Star Captain Michael of the Clan Wolf jumpship Far Hunter. We have come here with aid from Clan Wolf and the Star League Defense Force. Further, we have been ordered to take up station to provide HPG communications via our on board unit. We are operating under an SLDF relief flag. Please provide Geo orbit parking location for HPG link up and landing coordinates for the aid. We are ready to take the first upload for communications outbound."
This is Captain Wayne Stinson of the Mayflower, we and this Civilian fleet, we are here to provide significant humanitarian relief to the people of Tharkad. Let me be clear to All Lyran Claimants. The people of Tharkad.
Our building materials will be used only for civilian domiciles, we will only involve ourselves in cleanup of fallout threatening civilian population our food supplies will be distributed directly to the civilian population, not horded for use by your soldiers.
This generous larder is the gift to the people from the Parliament of the Free Worlds League to the people of Tharkad so that they may have some relief that from their pains not for a backgrop of an elaborate propaganda campaign to put someones butt firmly on a dead tyrants throne.
I warn any warlord who might be considering siezing or interfering with our mission of mercy while we have not come armed into this system. Tharkad is hardly beyond the reach of the FWLM.
Behave yourself boys. Its in everyone's best interests.
Mayflower out.
Quote from: Deathrider6 on July 21, 2010, 02:55:53 AM
"You heard the General, people. Let's get these troops on the ground." She turned back to General Steiner. "General I am going to patch you through to the ground commander. I'm sure he will be delighted to know you're alive."
****
Kommandant-General Daniel Russell opened the comm channel. "Guten Abend Frau General, we are here to assist in the relief efforts as stated in the initial communications. Should you desire I will gladly meet with you to discuss the situation. As we are LCAF troops the only chain of command we follow is the lawful one. The fact that you are alive does not change my orders what it does do is prevent the unneeded loss of life. I will meet you planetside at your convienence General."
"Daniel," Nondi Steiner said with a bit of a frown, "I'm not thrilled to see you caught up in this 'battle for the throne' business as well, but I suppose it can't be helped. Anyway, I'm glad you understand my position on the chain of command in-system.
Alles in Ordnung, and all that. You may begin your landings as soon as you reach orbit, but be advised there are large areas we have marked off limits because of high fallout levels. We'll route you to a landing zone on Heidelburg - it has the best conditions for shirtsleves work, and we can low-orbit relief parties to the disaster zones from there."
"Now, I see we have other visitors. I will see you when you make landfall."
Quote from: august on July 21, 2010, 05:22:52 AM
LCS Expedition, Tharkad Space, 2 September 3069
"Sir, we have arrived, all ships seem to be in, well, the condition that they were when we left and... ah, it seems we're not the first to arrive. I have a warship not far from us - the Simon Marsden? She's broadcasting the expected LCAF codes... not sure who she's declared for, but she's not in our group."
Colonel Hermann Taks, grunted at the comm officer. "Well, whoever the hell they are, let's hope their not in the mood to shoot at what passes for a humanitarian mission these days. How's Tharkad look?"
"From here, sir, can't really say. We'll have to wait for the droppers to get closer before we'll have a solid idea of what to expect."
"Give me an open signal then - toss the bait and see who bites." The young officer... what was his name again... handed Taks a microphone. "Attention people of Tharkad, this is Colonel Hermann Taks of the 21st Lyran Jagdgeschwader. We have arrived with relief for the people of the capital - a number of dropships will be landing on Tharkad with food, clean water, clothing and medical supplies. Military forces will only accompany if it becomes necessary to ensure orderly distribution. We are, at present, ignorant of your situation - we ask that local authority guide our landing and direct us to the areas of greatest need."
"Colonel Taks, this is Tharkad Emergency Command Center. The lawful command authority in this star system is General of the Armies Nondi Steiner. Acknowledge your intention to obey the Lyran Commonwealth chain of command."
Quote from: NVA on July 21, 2010, 06:39:10 PM
Tharkad Space
0820 Local
"We are clear sir. Dropships report status green."
"Very good. Let us reach out and touch someone."
"People of Tharkad, I am Star Captain Michael of the Clan Wolf jumpship Far Hunter. We have come here with aid from Clan Wolf and the Star League Defense Force. Further, we have been ordered to take up station to provide HPG communications via our on board unit. We are operating under an SLDF relief flag. Please provide Geo orbit parking location for HPG link up and landing coordinates for the aid. We are ready to take the first upload for communications outbound."
"
Far Hunter, this is Tharkad Emergency Command Center. Standby for parking orbit instructions. Be advised that high-bandwidth radio and laser data transmision capabilities are currently limited due to high fallout levels in the upper atmosphere. We will upload communications packets once you are in range for line-of-sight microwave uplink."
Quote from: chaosxtreme on July 21, 2010, 08:42:29 PM
This is Captain Wayne Stinson of the Mayflower, we and this Civilian fleet, we are here to provide significant humanitarian relief to the people of Tharkad. Let me be clear to All Lyran Claimants. The people of Tharkad.
Our building materials will be used only for civilian domiciles, we will only involve ourselves in cleanup of fallout threatening civilian population our food supplies will be distributed directly to the civilian population, not horded for use by your soldiers.
This generous larder is the gift to the people from the Parliament of the Free Worlds League to the people of Tharkad so that they may have some relief that from their pains not for a backgrop of an elaborate propaganda campaign to put someones butt firmly on a dead tyrants throne.
I warn any warlord who might be considering siezing or interfering with our mission of mercy while we have not come armed into this system. Tharkad is hardly beyond the reach of the FWLM.
Behave yourself boys. Its in everyone's best interests.
Mayflower out.
"
Mayflower, this is Tharkad Emergency Command Center. Standby for landing instructions. Bad advised that civilian traffic to the continent of Bremen is restricted due to radiological hazards. All relief operations must be cleared in advance by TECC."
Tharkad
To:Kommandant General Daniel Russell
From:CO 2nd Royal Guards (via secure Fax)
RE: RasDom Operations at Arcturus.
Sir,
Elements of the RasDom Military have arrived ant the behest of the rebels. Request guidance.
Signature,
CO 2nd Royal Guards
****
So they want guideance eh? He had the Commtechs open a channel. "Get me General Nondi Steiner ASAP. We have a situation."
"Tharkad Emergency Command Center, this is Taks. I'm tempted to say that I'm insulted that you asked, but those are the times, I suppose. It is our intention to operate in full compliance with the chain of command and under General of the Armies Steiner's authority."
Quote from: august on July 22, 2010, 03:09:31 AM
"Tharkad Emergency Command Center, this is Taks. I'm tempted to say that I'm insulted that you asked, but those are the times, I suppose. It is our intention to operate in full compliance with the chain of command and under General of the Armies Steiner's authority."
"Acknowledged, Colonel. Stand by to receive landing zone assignments."
Quote from: Dave Baughman on July 22, 2010, 01:01:12 AM
Quote from: chaosxtreme on July 21, 2010, 08:42:29 PM
This is Captain Wayne Stinson of the Mayflower, we and this Civilian fleet, we are here to provide significant humanitarian relief to the people of Tharkad. Let me be clear to All Lyran Claimants. The people of Tharkad.
Our building materials will be used only for civilian domiciles, we will only involve ourselves in cleanup of fallout threatening civilian population our food supplies will be distributed directly to the civilian population, not horded for use by your soldiers.
This generous larder is the gift to the people from the Parliament of the Free Worlds League to the people of Tharkad so that they may have some relief that from their pains not for a backgrop of an elaborate propaganda campaign to put someones butt firmly on a dead tyrants throne.
I warn any warlord who might be considering siezing or interfering with our mission of mercy while we have not come armed into this system. Tharkad is hardly beyond the reach of the FWLM.
Behave yourself boys. Its in everyone's best interests.
Mayflower out.
"Mayflower, this is Tharkad Emergency Command Center. Standby for landing instructions. Bad advised that civilian traffic to the continent of Bremen is restricted due to radiological hazards. All relief operations must be cleared in advance by TECC."
Duly Tharkad Emergency Command Center. Be advised we have specialized radiological cleanup crews standing by to coordinate with your efforts at Bremen. Recommend we land and get sorted out. You or the appropriate the taskforce incharge of Radiological clean up can coordinate with them.
Like I said, we're here in force to help. Didn't bring any guns though. Didn't see the point.
Hedielberg, Tharkad.
The Spaceport barely fit the assorted droppers of his command but it was sufficent. "daniel stepped off the Mark VII that had brought him planetside he noticed a cluster of troops surrounding a Battlemaster. He walked over the and the serior officer sauted crisply as he approached. "Welcome to Tharkad General, I'm Kommandant Reis, We rotated off the line for 48 hours rest they placed us here. I got my B-mer a Zeus and around 200 infantrymen that are orphans so to speak. They were part of the Donegal units that turned coat and they decided to stay here and help. You have a short batallion of Marines on the line helping with rescuse/recovery ops." Daniel returned the salute. "Well Kommandant, it appears that I'm here just in time. We're going to set up basing here. There are medical and engineer units ready to go have your people get cleaned up and then we'll do a mass briefing. If you got comms to General Steiner, get her on a secure channel for me I need to brief her." Kommandant Reis smiled. "I'm on it sir. Meet me here in five minutes." She did a crisp about face and ran over to the Morningstar CCV parked next to her B-mer and it trundled over towards General Russell. He guided it in and walked aboard.
Heidelberg, Tharkad.
The commtech sighed. "I'm sorry sir. The nuke hashed the sattelies in orbit. I can try a bounce off of one of your warships though." General Russell nodded. "Do it Private...Good thinking." The Tech grinned and made the adjustments to the comm system.
Heidelberg, Tharkad.
The unloading of men and equipment has so far gone smoothly. The 4th Royal Engineer Battalion was prepping a vheicle park and refueling point. The 81st Tharkan Engineer Company was working on a supply point. The Medical units were also setting up their MASH units for business. Kommandant Dieter Handlemann- Bitburg was pleased. As soon as the vehicle parks and service areas were completed he could set up a rotation for reconstuction/Decon operations.
"Sir, I have a positive link through the SLDF commo ship. Coming in clear... and encrypted. I don't think the Clanners will be able to listen in."
A few minutes later, in General Russel's CCV
"Daniel," said Nondi Steiner quietly, "I see you made it to the surface safely. What is your command's status?"
The aged General had clearly seen better days; dark bags hung under her tired eyes and beneath her field cap her hair appeared disshevelled. The dosimeter badge attached to her collar attested to the dangers that were literally floating in the air.
Heidelberg, Tharkad.
Daniel looked back at Nondi. "General, we are a bit light on the aero and infantry side of things but what I do have is at full readiness. My support command is setting up additional medical and supply depots I have an engineer battalion ready to go as far as reconstruction efforts. We are setting up base facilties and I have the rest of the unit unlading and prepping to assist in patrol and civil defense operations. I have an officer who has been planetside for sometime briefing my people in relays. I will have additional cargo landing once I have finished setting up distribution and storage areas." He cleared his throat. "I have held back the mech regiment and my battlearmor for work in the radiation zone Decon facilites are being prepared as well. I do need to meet with you regarding an issue on Arcturus. I have two units on planet but there is some kind of civil disturbance couple with RasDom troops on planet. They are requesting permission to pull out. The people want them gone and the RasDom in. I'm inclined to grant them permission ma'am. I only have around 20 regiments total to defend Skye/Donegal and back up Arc-Royal."
HPG Message to Genral of the Armies Nondi Steiner.
To: General of the Armies Nondi Steiner, Archon (pro-tem)
From: Robert Kelswa-Steiner, Duke of Skye and Tamar.
RE: LCAF Chain of Command.
Nondi,
Your appearance solves a huge issue with the chain of command. I am relieved to hear that you are well. Kommandant General Daniel Russell took charge of the situation in Skye and Donegal at my request. He is a good officer and I offered him nothing. He would have refused me if I had. He has made it quite clear that his loyalty is not to me or Arc-Royal or any other subfaction of the Commonwealth but to the State as a whole. I'm sure he submitted himself to your command as soon as he was informed of your presence on Tharkad. The units under him will obey his orders and yours. I would be foolish to challenge your right to command the LCAF so I will not. Regardless of who is eventually ratified as the new Archon the troops that are from Skye and Donegal will support them.
Respectfully,
Robert Kelswa-Steiner
Duke of Skye and Tamar
Tharkad, 4th Royal Guards cantonment.
Hauptamann-Kommandant Avril Reis walked into the GP medium that had been freshly erected for her use there was a cot and sleeping bag as well as a portable desk. The 4th's techs were hard at work serviceing her B-mer. Thank god I got one of the good ones commanding here. He'll do right by us.
There were fresh uniforms sitting on the desk with a note attached.
***
Kommandant,
Take a couple hours of rack time, eat shower and get into the field uniform. Make sure you wear the rank tabs provided.
General Russell
***
She picked up the note and saw Colonel's rank tabs.
4th Royal Guards Cantonment, Heidelburg, Tharkad Sept 13th 3069
Avril Reis walked into the mobile HQ. Kommandant Handlemann-Bitburg snapped a crisp salute. "Guten Morgen Frau Oberst. The General will see you now." She nooded and walked further in to the headquarters and found The General in a holotank. He turned his head and saw her coming. "I see you got some sleep Colonel. I have a new assignment for you." She looked at him in shock.
"With respect General I'm needed more here." Daniel smiled.
"Don't be so quick you will assume command of the 1st Royal Guards. They are enroute here but will not arrive for some time. The unit was mauled on Baker 3 and they need a commander like you. You will coninue with you current duties until they arrive and your 'unit' will be joining you. The Marines will go back to thier posting but your engineers and infantry will remain with you. All of them will be vetted of course which will cut into your numbers."
She nodded and stood a little taller. "I'm sure I will have all of my people vetted and ready for approval sir."
With its position taken up, traffic had begun to flow through the HPG. Loremaster Tutuola stepped into the communications tank and opened the comm.
"Tharkad Command, this is Loremaster Tutuola of Clan Wolf. I have been asked to speak with General Steiner about a matter of urgency. Arc Royal is on the verge of falling and the threat to the Lyran people continues to become more grave."
4th Royal Guards Cantonment.
The Commtech looked up from the console. "General, the Wolves are trying to contact the High Command. Should we open a channel and answer them?" General Russell shook his head.
"No Private, we will monitor and prepare to retansmit the hail. We will not reply unless requested by General Steiner. In the meantime poll all units planetside. I need to know who is here and where they are so we can ensure that effort is not duplicated."
Quote from: Deathrider6 on July 23, 2010, 05:37:44 AM
Heidelberg, Tharkad.
Daniel looked back at Nondi. "General, we are a bit light on the aero and infantry side of things but what I do have is at full readiness. My support command is setting up additional medical and supply depots I have an engineer battalion ready to go as far as reconstruction efforts. We are setting up base facilties and I have the rest of the unit unlading and prepping to assist in patrol and civil defense operations. I have an officer who has been planetside for sometime briefing my people in relays. I will have additional cargo landing once I have finished setting up distribution and storage areas." He cleared his throat. "I have held back the mech regiment and my battlearmor for work in the radiation zone Decon facilites are being prepared as well. I do need to meet with you regarding an issue on Arcturus. I have two units on planet but there is some kind of civil disturbance couple with RasDom troops on planet. They are requesting permission to pull out. The people want them gone and the RasDom in. I'm inclined to grant them permission ma'am. I only have around 20 regiments total to defend Skye/Donegal and back up Arc-Royal."
"It sounds then that you are dealing well with the challenges of operating in a relatively rural area.
Sehr gut. Between the warhead that was detonated at Asgard and the fallout from the capital reactor, Bremen will not be shirtsleeves-safe for a long time."
The elderly General coughed hard but quickly regained her composure, "This Arcturus business is troubling. I don't know if you are aware of this, but... no, better not discuss it over the link. I agree, we need to meet. I'll catch the next low-orbit to Heidelberg, should be in a few hours."
Quote from: NVA on July 23, 2010, 08:43:51 PM
With its position taken up, traffic had begun to flow through the HPG. Loremaster Tutuola stepped into the communications tank and opened the comm.
"Tharkad Command, this is Loremaster Tutuola of Clan Wolf. I have been asked to speak with General Steiner about a matter of urgency. Arc Royal is on the verge of falling and the threat to the Lyran people continues to become more grave."
"Loremaster, I have just been informed that General Steiner will be making an unscheduled visit to the Royal Guards encampment on Heidelberg. If you can shuttle down quickly, I will attempt to arrange an audience."
Quote from: august on July 22, 2010, 03:09:31 AM
"Tharkad Emergency Command Center, this is Taks. I'm tempted to say that I'm insulted that you asked, but those are the times, I suppose. It is our intention to operate in full compliance with the chain of command and under General of the Armies Steiner's authority."
"Colonel Taks, this is TECC. We've just been informed that General Steiner will be conducting an unscheduled inspection of the Royal Guards encampment on Heidelberg. You are invited to intend, both the inspection itself and a senior staff meeting to immediately follow."
Heidelberg, Tharkad.
Daniel turned to the commtech. "You heard that last message from the General right? I'll be waiting for General Steiner to arrive. You continue monitoring. If the Wolves call again patch them trough to me at once."
"Very good. I will be on board the next relief shuttle. I will expedite that delivery."
Within 30 minutes, the relief shuttle was enroute. Onboard were advanced clan medical technologies and clan physicians, as well as the supplies they would need. These were not mobile units, rather, they were for those recovered and evac'd to the cantonments.
(OOC: sounds like Detective Loremaster Tutuola will be arriving at least an hour before Nondi touches down, so please feel free to RP out the introductions between him and the other Elsies before I drop Nondi into the mix)
Heidelberg, Tharkad.
The shuttle from the Arluna's arrival was both a blessing and a curse. Nondi Steiner was coming and unless Daniel stashed von Schrakenberg or cleared her of the charges the posibility of a summary execution was very,very real. The squad of infantry hustled her to his "office", a small trailer fitted out as a place for him to get away from the chaos of the cantonment. He walked over and ducked inside. His two Colonels and the accused were waiting.
Flag Officer's "suite", 4th Royal Guards Cantonment, Tharkad.
Kommandant General Russell gave Kaptain von Schrackenberg a shake of his head. "I cannot say I'm glad to see you under these circumstances. You being here means something is very wrong." Colonel Lowell coughed softly.
"Pardon the interruption, Danny, but did you brief Maria about Operation Gauntlet?" Daniel looked at Lowell.
"No Craig I did not. Maria did not have need to know. On my authority brief her in the next room. I will deal with Maddy here." Craig led Maria into the next room as Daniel turned back to Madaline. "Got burned didn't you?"
She hung her head. "Yes sir, it was plain bad luck. The XO just happened to need me for something and over heard me trying to get info on the UIW defectors. He did what he needed to do. How the hell am I gonna get out of this mess?"
Daniel nooded. "You'll still have to go to trial. I will have to deal with Nondi. She might be able to quash it. In the meantime stay here I'm posting a guards Lowell and Maria will explain what will happen next. I got to go meet the flock of guests arriving."
4th Royal Guards Cantonment.
"Attention all incoming air and ground traffic. Communicate withthis headquarters for landing instructions once you enter the Heidelberg Air Defense Idenifacation Zone, failure to do so will result in interception by local air defense forces." The Broadcast repeats evry thirty seconds.
"Heidelberg Control, this is SLDF Relief Shuttle Tangent on inbound vector 34 by 87. Carrying VIP for meeting with General Steiner and advanced medical personel for radiation facilities. Request clearance."
Heidelberg, Tharkad.
"Tangent, you are cleared for a straight in approach. Land and wait for a follow me."
The aerodyne shuttle landed at the runway and then followed the follow me to its parking spot. The popping and cooling could still be heard when the hatch opened. Stepping out was a man, clearly an elemental. He confidently strode down to the end of the ramp and watched the medical staff begin their work while waiting for instructions on where they would be able to set up their buildings and get ready for the advanced work they were trained in.
Heidelberg.
A Lyran Kommandant walked up and got the head Wolf medic's attention. "You set up next to the 4th Royals MASH units. Have your supply point next to it. We distirbite from a central point but we want your supplies kept with your people. Colonel Reis will meet with you later she has some issues to deal with."
Scientist Paul nodded to the Kommandant. He turned to his team and called the lead technician over.
"Follow the Kommandant's directions and get the facilities set up quickly. I am sure there are many people in need of our services. I am going to use the shuttles communication system and request that our tranports come down next. We will need those medical vtols quickly."
With that, the technicians started moving the pre fab facilities and getting them setup. Like a well oiled machine, the buildings were set up in a matter of hours and by the end of the day, most of the equipment was where it belonged.
Heidelberg, 4th Royal Guards Cantonment.
"General, message from the Fifth Lyran Guards. They are ready to drop on Hesperus II. Duke Brewer told General Cotzee to stay way. Cotzee says he's ready to drop and smash them."
Daniel sighed. "I'll mention it to Nondi if she does not already know. Maybe she can break the stand off."
4th Royal Guards Cantonment,Heidelberg, Tharkad.
General Russell looked at the new "decorations" in the makeshift meeting room the Colors of the 20th Arcturan Guards, Saravan CTM and Guadavita FTM joind the 4th Royal's colors. Thet were behind the colors and his Personal Flag. He also had the 5th Lyran Guards Colors displayed to honor their sucess on Hesperus. On bothsides of the cluster of flags were plaques honoring all of the units in LCAF regardless of current nationality. Now we wait for Nodi's arrival.
Loremaster Tutuola was still waiting, when his pager went off. He listened intentaly as the dropship captain explained the situation. Quickly, and with agility that was scary in an elemental, he made his way to the communications station of the dropship.
"Khan H...Commanding General Hall, what can I do for you?"
"Dick, I need you to get Nondi on the horn immediately. Arc Royal is a bigger mess than we thought. And, please make sure the doctor is there. If her condition is as bad as I have heard...Just make sure he is there."
With that, Dick Tutuola ran through the cantonment to the headquarters. He insisted on speaking to whoever was in charge immediately.
Hiedelberg, Tharkad.
General Russell saw the loremaster running towards his HQ "complex". He waited for the Loremaster to arrive and catch his breath. "You look concerned Loremaster. What would get you to run the three kilometers from your dropship to here?"
OOC: The Cantonment is BIG..
The massive physique of the elemental phenotype was well tuned. But, a 3 kilometer sprint, at time outrunning those who were in motorized vehicles, would still wind a person. However, Dick was in good shape. He recovered faster than most.
"General Russell. General Hall needs to speak with General Steiner immediately. It appears there is a serious situation at Arc Royal. A threat that can not be ignored. There is an HPG uplink to the General's dropship now aboard mine."
Tharkad.
Genral Russell looked over at his Commo Staff. "You all heard the man. Get General Steiner on comms." He looked back at Loremaster Tutuola. "We'll see if she picks up then you can arrange a link. It may take a moment or two. So what is this threat? I know things are chaotic in the Arc-Royal region in needed I'll wait for the brief you give Nondi."
"I was not given full details. However, it appears that the leadership on Arc Royal is playing a game of chicken with the Commanding General."
Tharkad.
Daniel chuckled softly. "So that is Sharon's game eh? I'm sure Nondi would appreciate me listening in on her 'meeting with' GC Hall. I will probably be the one who gets to deal with Arc-Royal directly."
OOC - Moved to PM.
Before the comm shack could set up a link, the graceful curves of a suborbital liner broke through the cloud cover and descended quickly towards the main landing strip.
A few minutes later, the principals on the ground - Tutuola, Russel, and Taks - waited as the aircraft taxied to a halt and cracked its side hatch. The first two men out the door were LC infantrymen in full battle dress, who swept the perimeter with subguns before gesturing an all clear.
Clearly in more than a little discomfort, Nondi Steiner emerged and descended the boarding platform to the tarmac. The aged general paused for a moment before regaining her posture and striding purposefully towards the assembled officers.
Despite his years of poise, Taks found himself fidgeting as the General of the Armies made her arrival. Call it age catching up to him, or the lingering sense that he might later be called out for not shooting one if not all of the assembled VIPs bothered him a bit. As the commander of the least prestigious unit on Tharkad, he had ordered his people to stay away from cameras and not worry about the political posturing; it was only a last-minute flip of a coin that brought him here. The 21st was already packed and ready to bolt if things turned ugly - thankfully the distribution of supplies could, if it came to it, be reliably entrusted to the locals. It was only the knowledge that the men and women under his command were reasonably safe that drove his own worries regarding arrest or worse from his mind. He cast a sidelong glance at Hall and muttered something inaudible.
Tharkad.
"Stand Auf!!" The cluster of officers snapped to attention and General Russell saluted crisply. "Welcome to Hiedelberg, General. We have an uplink to SLDF command he has an urgent message for you." He held his salute and waited for Nondi to return it.
The Wolf Loremaster waited while the pomp and circumstance happened. Then, he turned to address the assembled officers.
"I must ask a question of each of you. Do you recognize Nondi Steiner as General of the Armies and your superior commander, both here on this world and of all the armies in your region and beyond?"
Tharkad.
General Russell looked at the Loremaster. "Nondi Steiner is the General of the Armies at this time."
(OOC: this occurs before Tutuola poses his question)
General Steiner returned the salutes of Russel and the other assembled officers, "Thank you, General. I had hoped to conduct an inspection of the troops here first, but if it is an emergency... well, I am sure whatever sort of emergency the SLDF can come up with will still be a relief compared to the last two months." Nondi delivered the last line with a half-hearted smile.
"General Russel, Colonel Taks, and..." she looked at the Wolf Clan warrior, "I do not believe I have had the pleasure of being introduced, Star Colonel."
"It is Galaxy Commander, General. And I am Loremaster Richard Tutuola. I wish our greeting could be under better circumstances. But, my understanding is that the matter that the Commanding General wishes to speak with you about is urgent and requires your attention specifically. There are security concerns as well."
OOC - When Dave says OKay. Fast forward to the loyalty question.
Tharkad
"We can troop the line at anytime General. I have a company from each sub unit of the 4th present as the rest of the RCT is busy helping with cleanup,SAR and Civic assistance work."
Nondi nodded to the Loremaster and to General Russel, "Very well, we will adjourn to the command center and listen to what the Commanding General has to say. General, Colonel, I would appreciate it if you would accompany myself and the Galaxy Commander, as we have some matters we must discuss afterwards."
(OOC: OK, timewarp over, back to Tutoula's question to the other Lyrans)
Quote from: NVA on July 27, 2010, 12:06:03 AM
"I must ask a question of each of you. Do you recognize Nondi Steiner as General of the Armies and your superior commander, both here on this world and of all the armies in your region and beyond?"
"I'm no politician, so you'll forgive me if I defer the question... ah... particularly when asked by one who's not part of the LCAF. I may not be up on my diplomatic protocols, but I know enough to not go airing Lyran dirty laundry for foreigners. Suffice it to say that we have cooperated with all orders given by the General of the Armies."
Tharkad.
General Russell looked over at the other officers gathered and then followed Nondi to back to the Command Center.
"Very well gentlemen. If you will please wait out here, General Steiner needs to see this alone. Then, she can decide how to disseminate the information. Operational security, you understand."
OOC - NVA, lets handle your briefing in PM if you want to keep it confidential. Shoot me your info and I'll answer tonight.
While the General and Loremaster presumedly confer inside the conference room, a Wolf Clan civilian with an aesclepian staff insignia on his collar pushes past Russel and Taks into the conference room with a look of urgency on his face. While the door is briefly open a few words can be overheard:
"...the dire situation. Frankly, Arc Royal can not be held. It is going..."
In response to the overheard fragment Taks cast a sidelong, awkward glance at Russel for only a moment before he realized the inappropriateness of the gesture. Overcompensating, he threw on an friendly smile. "So, ah, sir, while we're waiting, who is your favorite for this year's All-Commonwealth Cup?"
Tharkad.
Daniel looked back at Taks. "Colonel, I'm really not sure the team from Coventry looked really good. I'm not sure if Charlemange will let them play anymore this year. I don't have a lot of time for sports but Donegal United looks good as well. Arc-Royal and Pandora were making a run as well."
Heidelburg, 4th Royal Guards HQ, Tharkad.
Kommandant Dieter Handlemann-Bitburg stepped into the room. "General, I have a communique from Arcturus." He passed the meesage flimsy to Russell, then turned to Taks." Hello Colonel." He then waited for Daniel to read the flimsy.
OOC Note: Have frefrained from posting while waiting for others to post. So here's some more filler so to speak.
Hiedelberg, Tharkad.
General Russell was not a smoker but he occaisionally enjoyed a quiet cigar. He nodded to the guards ans walked to a quiet spot twenty five feet away from and enterance or window. Ahhh this will be nice. He waitred for Nondi and the Clan Wolf Loremaster to finish their meeting so he could give his reports.
...Coming in off PM...
The door reopened and the doctor walked out, leaving the door open behind him.
"...Yes General, perhaps it is time to call the others in."
Heidelberg, Tharkad.
General Russell walked back into the room just as the door openede caught a snipet of the conversation and waited to be summoned.
General Steiner, looking somewhat pale under the conference room's flourescent lights, was dismissing a Wolf Clan medic just as Russel and company entered.
"Gentlemen, I apologize for keeping you waiting. Galaxy Commander Tutuola has been briefing me on a rather unpleasant strategic situation that is developing at Arc-Royal."
"Colonel Taks," she addressed the Arc-Royal officer flatly, "The Galaxy Commander believes that the Arc Royal theater is on the verge of collapse. Is this accurate?"
"General, I'm not important enough to have clearance regarding everything that might be relevant, but my understanding is yes. Clans Star Adder and Ice Hellion have taken a number of worlds within the theater. We're facing widespread defection to the so-called Rim Worlds Republic - rebel troops even tried to seize Pandora. If not for the intervention of the Dracs-uh-onis Combine allied troops, they might have done serious damage to what troops remain loyal. Of the LCAF forces loyal to the government, a good deal of them were trapped behind enemy lines. I hear they've made it through safely, but not in time to shore up the defenses against this wave of attacks."
"Aside from the DCMS on Pandora, the SLDF has been extremely uncooperative. The Davionists aren't responding to any of our transmissions, and latest has it that Marco Hall wants to strip Arc-Royal of her military facilities and turn tail. The government ain't having that - as I understand it, we'll go down fighting and it'll be scorched earth if it comes to it. I can't say I'm happy about it, but better that than some fatass Terrans receiving the the work of our hands pro-bono via routes paved with Lyran blood. Er, excuse me, General -slip of the tongue."
"If that weren't enough, we know that there are Leaguers in the area just waiting to snatch up what worlds they think the clans won't hit, and my esteemed colleagues from Donegal think that murdering Hesperans is more important than helping defend the Commonwealth, giving our worlds to the Lavenders all the while."
"Suffice it to say, General, I hope that whatever situation you referred to involves the saints appearing in the flesh on Arc-Royal. It's going to take a miracle to bail out the theater. We fail and we lose the government for the second time in three months."
Listening to the General, the Loremaster shook his head.
"General Hall has just taken over the Star League Defense Force. If you wish to lay blame at earlier actions, perhaps you should take it up with Victor. However, that is not here. General Hall is working with the Lyran government and those Lyran troops who recognize General Steiner's command. However, those are few to find in the arena, General. Most, would rather make Arc Royal its own state or head of the whole Lyran government. And, given that the Government of Arc Royal and the people who claim to 'lead' the Steiner State from there are holding a hostage and threatening terrorist actions, it is unlikely that government will ever be recognized by the Star League. What General Hall has done is look at why the UIW has been able to survive the clans at this point. And, frankly, it is because they do not have anything the other clans want. As there are no loyal Lyran troops on Arc Royal, the best the Star League can do for the Lyran state is to remove those facilities to a safer location. Truth be told, with the self destruction of the Lyran government and everyone wanting to be called leader, the job of the clans became far easier. Your leaderships claim to being 'the' Lyran leadership is no better than anyone elses. Which is probably why the Star League does not recognize a valid Lyran government at this time. And, it is this very reason that Clan Wolf recgonizes Nondi Steiner as acting Regent. Anything else will strip any claim of membership in the Star League by the Lyrans. Now, if you believe that is what you want, then I am sure Clan Wolf can be convinced to remove all of our assets protecting Lyran worlds and let the clans do with those non Star League worlds as they would. If, instead, you truly give a surats backside about the Lyran state, then convince your damn government to quit beating the war drums, work with the Star League Defense Force and the other member contributions. Recognize that General Steiner is General of the Armies and quit trying to make your own military leadership. Quit trying to make more enemies. Those Free World troops seconded to the Star League Defense Force will be dealt with if they take actions against you. But, if you insist on making a new state, then you have NO protection from the Free Worlds League by the Star League, as only the FWL is a member then."
Taks shrugged off the Wolf's speech.
"General Steiner, with respect, could you please dismiss the chatty clanner? I thought that this was LCAF affair, and for my part we could probably get things done more effectively if we didn't have foreigners interrupting us and dictating to us our own laws and telling us how to do our jobs."
Tharkad.
"I beg to differ on your opinion of Loremaster Tutuola, Colonel." He shook his head. " I will remind you that prior to actions taken by various parties in the Lyran Government the Wolves in Exile were an intergral part of the LCAF defensive plans for the Arc Royal Region. I do feel that the Loremaster's presence is unnerving for me personally his insights may be of value. I will defer to General Steiner on that regard but I will not tolerate your characterization of the Wolf Loremaster as 'chatty' Colonel. Do so again and I will charge you for it. Loremaster Tutuola would be justified in challenging you to a Trial of Griveance for your remarks."
"General Russel, this self-righteous piece of vatborn trash has the nerve to tell me to my face that my troops and the people who stand beside me aren't 'Loyal Lyran troops,' and you defend him? And charge me with whatever the hell you want - you're the one who is following the orders of a goddamn war criminal! You ally yourselves with this scum and worse, the Leaguer shits, and you have the fucking nerve to tell me that I've not got the best interests of the Commonwealth in mind? You know what's in the best interest of the goddamn Commonwealth? Not killing other Lyrans! My people are dying at the hands of the clans right now, while your Skye-Donegal faction orbitally bombards Hesperus! I don't give two shits if you differ with my opinion! Because yours is so far beyond the pale that it's a goddamn insult that I have to stand in the same room as you and pretend that you're a ranking LCAF officer."
"I sided with Arc-Royal because I was there, and because it was convenient. Thank the Lord for that. Because no matter what they may be doing, the Estates General has shown it's got its priorities straight. We haven't killed any of our countrymen, and everything we have is being used to fight the invaders. So fuck you, fuck your murderous pretender Archon, and fuck your pal the little Wolfling who calls me a traitor and wants to lecture me about what's legal and what's not in MY home nation!"
"I see that dealing with you in a reasonable manner is going to be pointless Colonel. It would appear that I will just have to allow General Steiner to deal with you as she see fit. I will put this in terms even you understand. If General Steiner orders me to arrest and try Robert Kelswa-Steiner for war crimes I will do so. If she orders me to try the officer who perpetrated the Orbital Bombardment of Hesperus II I will do so. If she orders me to put a bullet in your brainpan I will do so. You chose Arc Royal because it was convienient. I could care less why. As for who eventually becomes Archon I really could care less. There is no law that states the archon has to be a Steiner. Ultimately it is the People of the Commonwealth who decide. Not Robert, or Sharon or even Charlie. The delegates form Skye and Donegal were elected by the people of ther respective worlds Colonel, not appointed by someone making a bald power-grab."
"My legal Commanding Officer is in this room as we speak. She will decide where the troops under my command go next. I do recommend you tell your masters to reign in their mercs at Gacrux. I'm sure that the FWLM will not meekly walk away next time. As for thier presence in the Commonwealth that is Robert's doing. I argued against it and still disagree with it but if it keeps even a small fragment of the Commonwealth alive it might just possibly be worth it. I would rather have to play nice with the FWL than kowtow to the likes of Daphne Rowe of the Clans."
"Your reaction to being told you are out of line amuses and disgusts me Colonel. It shows the kind of officer you are. Tactless and insufferably rude. Inspite of that you do have a place here until General Steiner throws you out or Loremaster Tutuola challenges you to a Trial of Grievance."
"If you have issues with dealing with the Wolves keep them to yourself and take them up with General Steiner privately. I'm sure you'll be dealing with me soon one way or another. My hope is that we will be attacking the Clans as a united force rather than coming in to remove your 'head of state' because she has put the entire Commonweath at risk beacuse she can't co-operate with others."
"Pft. You're cut from the goddamn same cloth as the clanner. All talk about saving the Commonwealth, have a thousand lectures on every subject, and your thumbs are up your asses doing nothing whatsoever while our countrymen die. Your hope is that soon you'll fight the clans - why aren't your allegedly patriotic Skye troops doing that right now? Cowards, all. Chain of command this, legal succession that. Send it all to hell! If we actually care about the people, these questions need to be set aside and we need to be fighting the invaders!"
"You, the Wolf and every goddamn successor state save the Dracs has refused to help out Arc-Royal because they have a beef with the government. So what? I used to think that we fought for more than governments. All this condescension about how Arc-Royal has done nothing but alienate her allies, blah, blah. I know it for a fact that the government reached out to every single power in the Inner Sphere save the Leaguers asking for help and requesting dialogue. You know how many responded? Just the Wolves, and they did it only to lecture us on why they couldn't be bothered to help us, but that they were going to take our military facilities away for our own benefit. Blame Mulcahy if you want - she's never, by the way, been called Head of State - but the Estates broke its back stretching to reach out to our allies. They couldn't be bothered to even try, and you're blaming us. What you think is a high horse is a mountain of red tape, Russell. Spare me the righteousness."
Two MP officers walked into the room escorting an LCN Kaptain.
Quote from: august on August 23, 2010, 06:10:42 AM
"Pft. You're cut from the goddamn same cloth as the clanner. All talk about saving the Commonwealth, have a thousand lectures on every subject, and your thumbs are up your asses doing nothing whatsoever while our countrymen die. Your hope is that soon you'll fight the clans - why aren't your allegedly patriotic Skye troops doing that right now? Cowards, all. Chain of command this, legal succession that. Send it all to hell! If we actually care about the people, these questions need to be set aside and we need to be fighting the invaders!"
"You, the Wolf and every goddamn successor state save the Dracs has refused to help out Arc-Royal because they have a beef with the government. So what? I used to think that we fought for more than governments. All this condescension about how Arc-Royal has done nothing but alienate her allies, blah, blah. I know it for a fact that the government reached out to every single power in the Inner Sphere save the Leaguers asking for help and requesting dialogue. You know how many responded? Just the Wolves, and they did it only to lecture us on why they couldn't be bothered to help us, but that they were going to take our military facilities away for our own benefit. Blame Mulcahy if you want - she's never, by the way, been called Head of State - but the Estates broke its back stretching to reach out to our allies. They couldn't be bothered to even try, and you're blaming us. What you think is a high horse is a mountain of red tape, Russell. Spare me the righteousness."
Quote from: Deathrider6 on August 23, 2010, 06:27:31 AM
Two MP officers walked into the room escorting an LCN Kaptain.
Kapitan Madelaine Schrakenberg von Winter was under guard, because she was 'waiting her turn' to face Summary Judgement for (among other things) violations of section 24 of the LCAF Military Code of Justice (Barratry).
She listened to General Russell's comments, and then, to Colonel Taks' retort.
She'd heard the entire exchange, and she'd finally had enough. Hands bound behind her, her feet were still free...
She stepped forward with a lunge, snarling. "Scheisskopf, Du Idiot, du verdammter Trottel du Narr, welche Art von Offizier meinst du du bist?*" she snarled, "YOU are a bloody half-assed
Oberst addressing a
Senior General-Kommandant, in the presence of the
General of the armies, I may be facing charges for rebellion, but even
I am not such a fool to think I can, at my
leisure address a senior, and in this case,
superior officer with the mouth of a syphillitic
Schuljunge. If the other officers in the Arc Royal theatre are as
blindingly incompetent as your behaviour illustrates, it is no
mystery that the Commonwealth is coming apart, and being absorbed piecemeal."
[ooc: Initiative [blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 4, 6, total 10[/blockquote] for the kick.]
(OOC Note: The above post was done with my approval. Needed CS' help since he created the character previously.)
General Russell saw Kaptain von Schrakenberg charge as the MP's tried to restrain her. His reaction was quick. "Kaptain! Stand down." He drew and fired his service pistol into the ceiling. "By God that is enough! Kaptain stand down." The MPs were stunned at the outburst from their normally reserved General."
Initiative for the MP's[blockquote]Rolled 2d6 : 4, 6, total 10[/blockquote].
The MPs managed to restrain Kaptain Schrakenberg just as she began to lunge and the pistol shot alerted everyone nearby. An additional squad of MP's rushed in lead by a Leutnant. General Russell had holsterd his pistol just as the came into the door. He looked over at the shocked MP officer. "It would behoove you Leutnant to ensure that the good Kaptain does not attempt to strike the Colonel again."
"Herr General, if this piece of trash is an example of what has become of the LCAF, I want to resign-in disgrace, and make sure I do not have to wear the same uniform as this...idiot Taks." Madelaine snarled while struggling, "I withdraw my plea of not-guilty." one of the guards looked...stunned, "I conspired with officers within the fleet to Mutiny and Desertion, General, I was, in fact, in charge of that conspiracy, and as that constitutes high treason, I confess to high treason against the State in a time of Emergency, knowing full well that by so doing, I bring down upon myself the penalty, which is death by firing squad, to be carried out summarily as soon as it is convenient to do so. I only ask that I not be buried or executed while wearing the same uniform as this imbecile." she nodded toward the Colonel, "Whose actions reflect the rot that provoked that conspiracy in the first place."
Colonel Lowell stepped into the room. "Did I just hear a gunshot?" He saw the small cluter of MP's surrounding Kaptain Schrakenberg. "He handed General Russell a folded piece of paper and steped back out of the room.
Taks took a minute to collect himself, and scratched his head in light of the awkward silence that reigned after the Kaptain's attack.
"General, forgive me... I've never been to a briefing on Tharkad before. Is it custom here to allow criminal suspects access to staff meetings? A close shave it might have been for me, but honestly I'm more worried about how it was allowed to happen than for my safety."
"I must find myself in agreement General. Given that at least one person here is guilty of what I believe would be treason and that it appears they do not recognize you as the supreme commander of Lyran forces, this would be a dangerous place for such an individual."
"Look at the tart in a dog pelt trying to be subtle. Real clever. Rest assured, scum, that if I had any intention of killing anyone in this room, it would be you. Fortunately for you, even I have my limits."
"...did I hear a gunshot?" his voice gurgled. Madelaine stared at Lowell, and her expression went from anger, to horror.
The stiff, dessicated cadaver handed a document to...Russell, whose neck turned black with pooling blood while she watched. she looked around frantically. They were all dead. Everyone in the room was dead. Still moving, jerkily, but cold and dead and she could smell it in the air.
It'snotrealitsnotrealitsnotreal she closed her eyes hard, trying to control her breathing as her heart started racing. she opened them, and everyone was still...
dead.
Bugs crawled out of Colonel Taks' mouth as he said "General, forgive me... I've never been to a briefing on Tharkad before. Is it custom here to allow criminal suspects access to staff meetings? A close shave it might have been for me, but honestly I'm more worried about how it was allowed to happen than for my safety." one of his milky, decaying eyes fell out onto the floor.
it's not real. it's not REAL...
The Wolf's mouth moved up and down, flesh cracking and flapping, the Loremaster said, "I must find myself in agreement General. Given that at least one person here is guilty of what I believe would be treason and that it appears they do not recognize you as the supreme commander of Lyran forces, this would be a dangerous place for such an individual."
this isn't happening! she closed her eyes hard, and opened them again, as the stench of death wafted through the room. Her heart beat triphammers in her chest.
Admiral Oliviery stepped out of the shadow behind General Steiner, only part of Madelaine knew that Admiral Oliviery was dead-brought to ten thousand degrees celsius inside Mount Asgard when the nuke went off.
"it's real." the dead Admiral told her, "We're going to drag you down to hell, where you belong...with us."
Madelaine saw red, as fear was replaced with unthinking rage.
General Russell looked back at Colonel Taks then over at the cluster of MPs "Subdue her and get her the hell out of here. Now."
The MP's clubbed her down with knightsticks and hit her with shock-rods until she was unconcious and druger her out of the room. Gebral Russell took a grazing blow to the side of the head, but was unfazed. "I'll deal withthe Kaptain later. we have a briefing to continue".
Just as the unconcious Kaptain Schrakenberg was drug out of the room Colonel Lowell peeked through the door looking embarassed. "General I owe everyone present an apology. The good Kaptain was not locked up for barratry. Well she was until the ship's doctor did a work-up. She's crazier than a bedbug sir.Apparently she snapped when Asgard went up. The personnel she was supposedly talking to were all killed. Hell she apparently was talking to me a week before I arrived. There's no sense in asking the others to leave sir. The LIC shut down the operation she was participating in as soon as it was apparent that Maddy blew her cover and the op. Once again I'm sorry for the incident and my mistake. I just read over my copy of the report I handed you." He ducked back out the door before general Russell could respond.
General Steiner, with a look that was a cross between outrage and intense nausea, watched the meltdown in the conference room in stunned silence.
"Galaxy Commander Tutuola, could you leave us for a moment. I wish to discuss an issue with my staff privately."
The doors shut and Nondi Steiner did not waste any time turning a basilisk gaze on the men before her.
"General Russel, Colonel Taks," she said in a voice now salted with an unpleasant rasp, "perhaps it was just as well that we decided to forgo the inspection. Things are clearly worse than I feared, to see you at one anothers' throats - and in the face of a foreign general officer at that."
"I believe there is still a Lyran Commonwealth. I believe that was are still one people - Rowe and her hooligans notwithstanding. Your conduct today is shaking that belief."
Steiner held a hankerchief to her mouth and coughed loudly.
"The Wolf Medic says that I am suffering from acute radiation poisoning. That's true, but he is bound to be in for a surprise when his blood work comes back. Someone wants the Lyran Commonwealth to die, and their first step in accomplishing that is to kill me. When they found out that I wasn't in Asgard when the bomb went off, they had me poisoned. Twice. Thalium and Dioxin, I'm told. Dosage far above the LD-50 cutoff. If you saw half the list of drugs they have me on to keep me alive, you'd think twice abo..."
The old General shook her head and refocused. The hankerchief, now crumpled in her palm, was stained with blood.
"I have a few weeks left, maybe a month and a half if I'm lucky. If the current situation is really a succession dispute, I will use what time I have left to mediate it. If, however, the Free Worlds League is right and the LC is already dead, tell me now so I can curl up in a corner and die in peace."
Daniel looked at Nondi and sighed. "I don't know what to tell you General. THe last thing I wanted to see is a possible sucession crisis. From the data I have Arc-Royal is a shambles. I have done what Robert and the Duchess of Donegal wanted me to do in regards to safeguarding the Skye/Donegal Region. The Hesperus Operation was all planned by Robert and his staff prior to the news of you surviving the disaster. I maty not agree with Colonel Taks on the political side of thing but I do agree that something has to be done regarding the Arc-Royal region. The SLDF has been grated basing rights on Summit should Arc-ROyal fall. The newly reformed 8th Donegal Guards should be at 50% stregnth the end of the month which will free up units for duty in Arc-Royal IF the Duchess will allow them. If arc Royal can be held we may be able to salvage the situation. The other probelm is that there are numerous world who do not acknowlege any of the splinter factions along the FWL and Combine borders. There are insufficent forces to bring them back into the fold and diplomatic initiatives have failed. I may not agree with Robert's use of FWL forces to backstop him and assist in reclaiming lost worlds but I do understand his reasoning."
He took a breath and continued. "I have read reports from Hesperus, Arcturus and have been briefed by personnel here and the situation is grave. The RasDom has occupied several worlds and Hesperus had to be assaulted. Duke Brewer was asked numerous times to stand down and submit to his leige lord's authoriy before any action was taken. Arcturus was a total loss and the people asked the RasDom to come and for LCAF forces to leave. As for the Free Wolrd stating that the Commonwealth is dead...I don't think so. As long as we have people willing to at least try to put our house in order the Commonwealth will survive. As for who should or could be Archon Robert has a legitimate claim to the throne and even Arc-Royal's Duchess could be considered. In my opinion one of the biggest stumbling blocks to settling the dispute is that someone in Arc-Royal didn't read the rules. There is no law on the books that detemines that a Steiner MUST rule the Commonwealth. The Law does state that the Estates General MUST be freely elected by the PEOPLE. Legally Arc-Royal's Delegates are leagal as long as they are from a world in Arc-Royal. Skye and DOnegal have held elections on each member world to elect delegates. Said Delegates are gathering on DOnegal and awaiting the go ahead to assemble and select a new Archon in co-operation with the Delegates from Arc-Royal. "
"As far as my relationship with Colonel Taks is concerned...I think he lost his head. I could be wrong but he appears to be a capable officer based on what I read in his service record. I'm sure I could work with him. I do understand your condition is terminal General but you need to speak directly to Arc-Royal. Skye/Donegal will forllow your lead. Robert is en-route and should arrive the early next month. He stated to me via message that he will back any actions you wish to take. I explained to him that he needs to avoid antagonizing the FWL,DC, and RasDom as well as the reformed RWR. He stated that he would discuss issues with you upon his arrival."
"General Russel, I thank you. We've all, I think, been effected by the scenes of horror on this world that we've had to confront, and having our worlds fall under the thumb of the clans has just made it worse. A cowardly, roundabout accusation of treason was too much, given my mental state. My people wouldn't have been sent here if we didn't care for the Commonwealth. For what it may be worth after the fact, I apologize. As for that woman, let's just say that this confirmed the rumors when I was teaching her at academy. Rituals to the many faces of the one moon god all along."
"As I referred to earlier, I am not employed in any governmental or diplomatic capacity. What the Estates General decrees, I get at the same time as the rest of you. That being said, I treat the FWL invasion and our declaration of war with utmost seriousness. The RWR as well - there's a bounty on Daphne Rowe's head and while I won't be the man to collect it, I'd love to see that money delivered. The RWR are traitors and secessionists, and deserve to be hanged, the lot of them. The only way I'd avoid antagonizing them would be to shoot the lot of their political and military class in the back all at once."
"Respectfully, I'd like to say that if there is anything that we'd like to avoid, it's civil war. And if Hesperus doesn't qualify, I'm not sure what does, unless the LCAF forces there were FWL dupes through and through. If Robert Kelswa is indeed en route here, I will inform you that I am under obligation to arrest the man."
"Colonel, that is the within General Steiner's purview. I would strongly advise against it. At minimum Skye could and probably would tell all of us to go to hell and join the Terrans or the FWL as a semi-autonomus region. I'm sure the Terries would love to get their hands on Hesperus as well as the FWL. At minimum I do recommned the Robert give an accounting for his actions. Declaring war on the FWL in my opininion is unsound the LCAF at this point cannot even hold the line on a single front. Period. I will not lose what troops we have left fighting a member of the Star League with the entire weight of the clans bearing down on the remains of the Commonwealth. I will not condone a two front war it's suicide."
He looked at Nondi. "What we have is a crisis that is my worst nightmare. Colonel Taks and I are agreed on the point of no civil war. That is a starting point. Now it for better or worse is up to you to get the rulers of Skye,Donegal and Arc-Royal to agree to work together. I know that the LCAF units will follow orders. I have ensured that. I have units refitting and ready for movement should the Clans make further inroads. Other units are being repositioned to secure the current border between the Commonwealth and both of our neighbors on the Combine border."
He turned back to Colonel Taks. "Apology accepted Colonel. Do you have any current information that might allow me to send even a token force to assist you in Arc-Royal's defense? You may have issues with the Duke of Skye but he only commands the Skye Rangers and the Skye Jagers the rest of the LCAF units are effectively mine save for the 5th Lyran Guards."
Waiting out of the meeting while they discussed their business, the Loremaster fumed. An elemental, it had taken all he had not to snap the surat Taks in multiple pieces. His communicator chirped with an urgent message. He reviewed it and his anger only increased. The terrorists on Arc Royal had not only killed Morgan Kell, they had threatened to set off a nuclear device is the SLDF did not give in to their demands.
Quote from: Deathrider6 on August 26, 2010, 07:38:02 AM
He turned back to Colonel Taks. "Apology accepted Colonel. Do you have any current information that might allow me to send even a token force to assist you in Arc-Royal's defense? You may have issues with the Duke of Skye but he only commands the Skye Rangers and the Skye Jagers the rest of the LCAF units are effectively mine save for the 5th Lyran Guards."
Taks PDA buzzed softly. "Forgive me if I check this - the only messages that should be coming through are from A-R command." His brow furrowed as he read, and his expression had taken on a grim aspect as he returned his gaze to the other officers. "What I've received is... irregular, to say the least. The Tharkad Martyrs have taken to giving orders now - apparently there's an emergency on Arc Royal that has demanded that the Estates General be moved to safety. Still, it's beyond my why Delegate Rosice, the proper liason isn't conveying commands according to established channels."
"General Russel, I don't know that this means right now, but I would advise against sending any units into Arc-Royal right now. I've seen too much in my days to believe that these so-called "Martyrs" worthy of any trust. I'd like to find the Delegate responsible for suggesting that we needed a paramilitary auxiliary independent of LCAF organization and show him what I think of him."
"In any case, my unit has been recalled home. After this meeting concludes, we'll be packing up and heading out. General Steiner, most of the aid supplies that Arc-Royal has provided has been distributed; may we leave what remains with your people?"
"Yes you may Colonel. Please meet with my aide de camp to make any needed arrangements."