Marian Hegemony IC Roleplaying Thread

[Daemonknight]

Faction Roleplaying Thread

[GI Journalist]

"Mama!"

Sulla Alastar O'reilly's outburst brought the meeting to a sudden halt. The general, the city prefects, and the senator, all of them could wait. Elena Logan-O'Reilly had entered the room, and not one of them could hold his attention for a moment next to this grand lady. Frankly, here on Lothario, they worshipped her almost as much as he did. Her unexpected presence overwhelmed any chance that he would sit through the tedious business of planetary government.

"Sully, I'm sorry to interrupt. It seems like only yesterday I told you how important it was to keep these meetings moving forward, and now I'm the one disrupting them."

Sulla laughed. "Yes, Mater." Then he frowned. " Is something wrong? Are your feeling well?"

Elena Logan looked old beyond her years, but her spirit was undiminished.

"I'm fine. You worry too much." Elena beamed a bright smile, from a too thin face. Her eyes had lost none of their sparkle.

"Please, Mater, sit down." Sulla made room for her at the head of the table, where he felt she belonged, but she insisted on taking the seat at his right hand. He quickly explained the current agenda item. "We were just reviewing our AeroSpace production. We've made progress, but I think we should make more effort to incorporate lost technologies."

His mother arched an eyebrow, "This from the boy who crashed the Hegemony's only Stinger LAM."

Sulla grinned. She hadn't come to talk about the dull business of government after all. "Mater, I'm 26 years now old, and that thing was a heap. What were you thinking anyway, giving it to me for my thirteen birthday?"

Elena feigned haughty disapproval. "It was a relic and a gift to the Alphard Space Museum. Of course to my spoiled son I suppose there's no difference between personal and government property."

"Of course there's no difference! I suppose I should thank you for loaning me Lothario for the past year. It may have a couple of scratches, but I tried not to bang it up too much."

The entire table joined them in shared laughter. How different it was here from Alphard. On Alphard fawning couriers would have suffered in nervous silence. Here he was treated like family, and it was in no small part because of his mother's charm. Was it really better to be feared than loved? Machiavelli never met my mother.

Seemingly without effort, she continued to dazzle the assembled officials, but it soon became apparent that she had come to address them on a serious subject. They settled in their seats, raptly attentive as she got down to the heart of the matter.

"As you all know, I have been seriously ill. Our doctors have improved much, but we still lack many skills. The time has come for me to seek treatment, and to do that I will be traveling far from our borders. I hope to find allies who will share their knowledge with the Marian Hegemony. While it saddens me to be leaving home, I do so fully confident that my son has the necessary skills to lead you, no matter what the future holds." Ever the proud parent, Elena smiled at her son.

Sulla swallowed and stood to address the assembled officials. "Ladies and Gentlemen, you can be certain that we will be seeing my mother again. And when we do, she will probably have an entire university full of doctors following her home."

His mother said her goodbyes to him later, in private.

"I've already said goodbye to Cassie and Tiberius. I love you all so much. I would not have left, except for your father. He can't bear to see me in pain. But I'm going now, because I believe I can still do some good for our people."

She seemed so tiny, but he sensed that her spirit was still strong. What would the Hegemony do without her?

"Remember my son, you are an O'Reilly, born to rule. But you are also a Logan. You carry me with you always."

[GI Journalist]

Nova Roma, Alphard

Precentor Nero Lupin delighted in delivering Caesar's mail. He could have easily appointed the task to some talented Adept, but the opportunities presented by a high profile missive, such as the one he carried today, made it worthwhile. Bustling like a young Acolyte, he swept across the polished marble of the Forum. Dressed in formal white robes, his sharply trimmed black beard and twinkling blue eyes made his identity unmistakable to the Praetorian Guard. Within minutes of clearing security he found himself ushered into Caesar's office.

Julius O'Reilly fixed Lupin with one of his famous stares, as the Precentor breezed into the room. The ruler of the Marian Hegemony was ever cool and in control, yet he couldn't stop his brow from furrowing. ComStar had promised Caesar uninterrupted and impartial service when the Word of Blake leadership had hurriedly departed from Marian space, yet Lupin was clearly a meddler and made no pretenses about hiding it. Today was no exception. The Precentor's smile promised mischief.

"Precentor Lupin, I trust you've read my letters and have come to share some particular bit of unpleasant news."

"Salve, Caesar! I assure you that there was no need to crack the encryption on this particular bit of good news. I have here an open letter to you from his Holiness, the Pope. It's unencrypted, so half the Inner Sphere has probably read it by now."

"And from which Holy Father did it come?" The humor in Julius' question was dry. "I suppose I should ask, if I'm getting a message from God."

"Caesar, it hardly matters. I assure you that ComStar impartially provides both the Pope on Terra and the Pope on New Avalon with direct Class A Hyperpulse service to the Almighty."

"I believe God will forgive me for doubting you. What does this Pope have to say?"

"This Pope seems concerned with Counselor Oswalt's address to the Star League. I think you may be interested," Precentor Lupin made a show of activating and reading the missive he carried. "Especially as the Holy Father made a point of quoting the letters of Paul...to the Romans." The Precentor gave Julius another insouciant grin and quoted from the letter.

"Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleaness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, Who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen."

Caesar took advantage of the Precentor's pause for breath to interrupt, "How long does he go on like this? It doesn't necessarily take divine inspiration to connect these verses to the Clans."

Lupin frowned at the interruption. "Really, Caesar, we were just getting to the good part about their women exchanging their natural use for what is against nature."

"Surely the Holy Father or Fathers have a point. If they think the Clans are evil, I didn't need convincing."

"Ah, yes, but then we come to Romans 1:32 and Romans 2:1." The Precentor resumed his reading, "Who, knowing the righteous judgement of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. Therefore, you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things."

Lupin's eyes glimmered with reflected light from the data pad. "If I'm not mistaken, his Holiness is suggesting you reconsider taking action against the Clans."

"Precentor Lupin, this is not the Holy Marian Empire. While I will be certain to consider what either Pope has to say, you can be certain that my decisions will be based on what is best for the Marian Hegemony and its people"

"Of course, Caesar." Lupin withdrew, his eyes still twinkling. "You will do what you think is best, and then it is all in God's hands."

[GI Journalist]

Soli, Pompey

Hadrian McGary, Alphard Trading Corporation Vice-President, gazed out over the floor of the huge domed amphitheater. On another day the arena might be shaken by BattleMechs locked in hand to hand combat while a crowd full of patricians and plebes in their togas cheered, but today holographic pavilions demonstrated advances in Marian production and company men and women in Inner Sphere business formal wear worked the floor. CEO Livia O'Reilly would be pleased. If the TechExpo went as planned, it would be the capstone to her exceptional career, one that had seen ATC rise out of ignominy and built back into a major company. Hadrian made a final adjustment to both his tie and the Marian emblem pinned to his lapel. Everything was in place, but it remained to be seen whether any of the Inner Sphere company representatives would be impressed. The Marian technology on display here wouldn't do it. While Caesar had certainly done wonders for the Hegemony's industries, arts and sciences, the Hegemony would never be able to claim to be on the cutting edge. However, it could claim to be profitable. Julius had invested wisely and business was booming.

Hadrian strode on to the floor. It was time to see who had answered Livia's invitation, and what the innovators of the Inner Sphere had brought to offer.

---

[GI Journalist]

Caesar Julius O'Reilly via the Marian Emergency Broadcast System:

"Citizens of the Marian Hegemony, twenty-years ago the Star League chose to leave Niops to the Spirit Cats, and now we are being repayed for that decision with violence. Less than an hour ago, a new generation of Clan warriors seeking to prove themselves in combat appeared over Alphard. Like the bandit kings of old their Khan has decided that she will enslave us through intimidation or force. She desires the resources of our worlds, so that she can fuel her warmachine. This can not be permitted.

Alphard may fall, but we will not go quietly into the dark. The Legion will will fight them, and though we die here, our Star League allies will not abandon us. Help is on the way. I ask each you to fight, not for glory, but for what is right. The Clans must be stopped here. They have embraced total warfare and become the embodiment of Aleksandr Kerensky's worst fears. If we allow them to continue they will destroy not only the Marian Hegemony but also our way of life, as well as that of our neighbors.

We will fight using every option available to us. We may be driven to desperate acts, but let me remind you that those acts should never be beyond decency or rule of law, even if the Clans forget it. May this be my legacy, and should I fall, may my children continue the fight to bring freedom, prosperity and hope to the Periphery.

May God protect you and have mercy on us all."

[Daemonknight]

Corean Enterprises Legio Complex
Pompey, Marian Hegemony
February, 3091

Things were not going according to plan, but then, few things ever did in the long run. The construction of the Corean production lines on Pompey had been something of a coup for the company, giving it a steady buyer of some of it's products that had failed to remain profitable in the FedSuns market. Luckily, the Marians had quickly swooped in and asked Corean to assist i building a facility on Pompey, giving the Marians a much needed influx of equipment and technology, and Corean a much needed source of income. The approval for the Pompey Lancers had also been a boon in light of recent events. While not technically a Corean Enterprises security force, that was the unit's primary objective.

However, now their mission was two-fold: to safeguard the Corean investment, and to stall the Spirit Cat advance as long as possible, until reinforcements could arrive. To that end, both Vice-President(Legio Division) Charles Holmstead and Major General Alexi Borodin found themselves at ATC's planetary headquarters, looking for VP Harian McGary. They likely could have asked for the planetary lord, but McGary was their main point of contact, and it was he who could ensure their message was delivered as promptly as possible. The fact that both Holmstead and Borodin were together would be evidence enough that the matter they wished to discuss was not minor; Borodin himself rarely had dealings with any non-Legion Marian personnel, making this obviously more than a social call.

[GI Journalist]

Hadrian McGary wore the same style suit he'd been wearing at the TradeExpo, but this one was badly rumpled. A five o'clock shadow beard gave him a rough and harried look. By contrast, his secretary in the emerald green mini-dress could have been carved out of alabaster. In dulcet tones she announced, "The Corean representatives are here to see you, sir. Vice-President Charles Holmstead and Major General Alexi Borodin."

McGary tore himself away from the reports compiling Pompey's ATC security forces and their readiness. "Thank you, Alexia, send them in immediately!"

[Daemonknight]

Holmstead and Borodin couldn't have been dressed more differently- Holmstead in a simple dark blue suit with a maroon tie, and Borodin in the normal dress uniform of an AFFS Major General. The two men entered McGary's office, Borodin offering a smart salute, and Holmstead walking up to shake McGary's hand swiftly. It was Holmstead who spoke for the pair.

"I'll get straight to the point Harian- the Cats have us worried, as I'm sure they worry you. Their next target is likly to be here, and the Lancers have only had a few days together with their equipment. I'm sure they can give the Cats a bloody nose, but the General here is unsure if he can hold them off on his own. He is hoping that the Legion has some strength on the planet, but without knowing the numbers the Spirit Cats are bringing to bear, it's hard to know what type of damage we're talking about." Charles was quite upset, almost as much as Harian was, though it wasn't clear why. The man had run the facility well enough it was true, but he was unmarried, had no kids, and other than the Corean facility, had little connection to Pompey, or the Hegemony.

Seeing Holmstead wavering, Alexi took a tentative step foreward, and removed his officer's cap.
"Mr. McGary, my 2 RCTs are running through drills and simulators as we speak. They're getting ready for a bloody fight, and our engineering crews are preparing our facilities for destructon should the Cats break through our lines. We don't want them gettng their hands on our production lines for any reason. The Pompey Lancers' stated goal is the security of the Corean facilities, but I'd like to get your permission to contact the local Legion commander and coordinate the defense of the planet with them. I'll not stand by idly with my boys to protect a few producton lines while your men fight valiantly to protect their homes!" Holmstead nodded his firm assent, but Borodin continued.

"Also, and this MUST remain a secret, we have recieved a coded commuique from the Fox's Den. A force is being assembled to come to the Hegemony's aid, though we were not given details on timing or composition. I know that the First Prince was livid when NIOPS was not liberated from the Cats, so with luck, they will have quite a force here. I fear it will be too late for us however. We must hold them off as long as possible before reinforcements arrive."

[GI Journalist]

Hadrian McGary appeared momentarily confused. "Gentlemen, I don't understand. Your liason officer should have briefed you on all of this. Please have a seat while I check on some details."

McGary punched up the ATC Chief of Security. "Titus, its Harry. Look, what happened to the LNO assigned to the Federated Suns here?" The vice-president blanched at the reply. "Not good. Thanks, Titus. Take care."

"I'm sorry, gentlemen. Your liason officer should have been here, but his flight didn't make it out of the Alphard system. I can assure you that Pompey is not unprotected, but I need to check with our CEO. Under the circumstances I think she can authorize the release of the information you need. We will be lending our security forces to the protection of your plants. Once we get the latest from Alphard, we should have a better idea of whether it will be enough. I'll also contact the Legion and let them know you need to be incorporated into the planning. I'm sorry you were cut out of the loop. We're all still reeling from this disaster."
   

[Parmenion]

Empress Elena Logan-O'Reilly and Emma Centrella had known each other a long time.  And indeed, the Empress had made more than one clandestine journey through Magistracy space to meet with the former Magistrix.  To say that they had a friendship might well be stretching the fabric of that word, however they did have a mutual respect of one another regardless of the national policies of both the periphery nations. 

That the two nations remained at loggerheads over a number of points remained extant, even with the passing of time.  A number of other matters had dimmed though, especially with the Hegemony fully abandoning it's slave nation past and the diminshing number of pirate attacks on the Magistracy originating from Hegemony border worlds.  Yet the Empress knew full well that the Magistracy's primary position remained the return of Palatinate independence.  However the two women remained in contact, even if on an intermittent basis, and this contact was today resumed.

* * * * * * * * * * *  *

Empress Elena.  Firstly, I am sorry to hear about the loss of your husband.  That Caesar truly established your realm as a modern nation is acknowledged.  Without a doubt he made the lives of the ordinary people of your realm, better.  Today though, is not about one man.  It is about your nation.  And it's survivial.

The Magistracy has been approached to act in the interests of all involved to pursue an avenue of peace between the Marian Hegemony and Clan Spirit Cat.  I can inform you that Clan Spirit Cat views the cessation of hostilities in a positive light

 

[GI Journalist]

Honorable Magestrix,

On the behalf of Empress Elena, please allow me to thank you very much for your heartfelt condolences and kind offer. Unfortunately, your missive has not found the Empress well. While her illness seemed to be responding to her treatments here at the New Avalon Institute of Science, the news of her husband's death and the attack on Lothario hit her very hard. Given her weakened condition, she has indicated that matters of state will be handled by her heirs. However, given the difficulties the Marian Hegemony is experiencing Counselor Troy Oswalt has been authorized to conduct diplomacy of behalf of the Marian Hegemony for the duration of the emergency.

We will be praying for Elena's recovery, the safety of her children and a peaceful resolution to the invasion of our home.

Sincerely,

Ambassador Joanna Palmer

[GI Journalist]

*Priority Broadcast, All Channels*

The whine of an ancient emergency tone overpowers all broadcasting  stations. Color bars fill the displays. Then a hooded figure in white appears. The room in which the solitary individual appears is dark except for a single beam of light from above that casts the person's face in shadow.

Sepulchral computer generated tones fill the open frequencies and boom from speakers around the planet.

"ATTENTION, PEOPLE OF ALPHARD."

Then the hood falls away to reveal the smiling face and pointed beard of Precentor Nero Lupin! The light catches a twinkle in his eyes. His devilish grin seems quite out of place on a ComStar official, even one assigned to someplace as remote as Alphard.

"I have always wanted to do that!"

Lupin initially appears to have been addressing somebody off screen. Now he shifts slightly to speak directly to the camera.

"Ahem. The recent attack by Clan Spirit Cat has caused considerable disruption to our communication network. The persecution of innocent ComStar alcolytes at the hands of the Clans is a new and terrible thing. Yet despite the trauma suffered by my personnel, they still managed to restore communication with Lothario.  Or at least they had, until the unexpected aid of the Free World League arrived and the League's technicians insisted on securing my HPG station. As a result, this primitive but effective system was the only way for me to reach you. My apologies."

Yet Precentor Lupin does not look the least bit contrite. If anything his smile is wider than before.

"None the less, the mail will get through! Before the most recent interruption in service, I received a message from Sulla Alastar Logan-O'Reilly, son and heir of the late Caesar Julius O'Reilly. This message is intended for open broadcast to all forces answering the call of the Star League and providing immediate relief. It was feared that Sulla was lost in the defense of his mother's home world, Lothario. We now know that both he and his newly appointed Imperator, Robert Kron, survived."

Lupin beams brightly, knowing this will bring cheers to the lips of the Marian populace. Then a new flatvid message appears, crackles with interference and then reveals a young man with red hair in a Marian MechWarrior uniform.
Sulla O'Reilly appears to have aged noticeably, compared to the flatvids in his folio. Dark circles appear under his eyes.

"Friends, Marians, countrymen, while I mourn the death of my father, I give thanks for the retreat of the Clanners who struck us without cause and without warning. But this victory would not have been possible without our friends in the Star League. Our freedom has been won under their banner, and you should count any soldier who serves under the SLDF flag as not only a friend, but a fellow Marian in spirit. We have a long struggle ahead of us, but with their help, we shall rebuild. We shall not allow bandits to view the Periphery as a target. We shall not allow opportunists to carve their kingdoms from our flesh. With the Star League, we will repulse all invaders and take the battle back to the Clans, where it belongs. I will repay my enemies, but I will not forget my friends."

The vid hisses and the picture implodes to black.

The image of Precentor Nero Lupin reappears. He raises his hands a shrug...or a benediction. His smile is gone, but his blue eyes still twinkle.

"Caesar is dead, long live Caesar."

*End Transmission*