RP/MM 1619 Tharkad Turn 43. [Complete].

[Deathrider6]

Tharkad

 "Clan shuttle, squak Ident and manifest to this station and maintain current course and speed."

[Daemonknight]

Ident: ICWS Dancing Mad, Shuttlecraft AD-103, Type K-1C Shuttlecraft
*Sensors do not detect any emissions from the shuttle's Pulse Lasers(powered down)*

**Shuttle Manifest**
Star Captain Jamie Reinhardt, InterClan Watch, Bondsman of ilKhan Diana Pryde
Star Colonel Jeremiah Icaza, Clan Jade Falcon, Envoy of the ilKhan
Bodyguard Point: 5 Battle Armored troopers of ilKhan Diana's personal bodyguard

[Deathrider6]

Tharkad

   "Dancing Mad, you are cleared to land at Hiedelberg Kaserne avoid airspace over Bremen continent. Honors will be rendered."

[Daemonknight]

45 minutes later...

The shuttlecraft landed at the Kaserne, and almost immediatly the ramp was lowered. Two Clan officers in Jade Falcon dress uniforms were escorted out of the shuttle by a point of black-armored Elementals. The two officers walked about 5 paces ahead of the Elementals, who despite not having their customary SRM backpacks, seemed non-plussed about being armed with only pulse lasers when surrounded by such numbers. The Star Captain's intelligence reports had been quite specific, and they knew that their ability to defend their charges would be neigh impossible if a determined assault was undertaken. However, they did not show their apprehension in their movements.

"I am Star Colonel Jeremiah Icaza, this is Star Captain Jamie Reinhardt. We are here to speak with Archon Robert Kelswa-Steiner."

[Deathrider6]

Tharkad

   Colonel Avril Reis saluted crisply. "Welcome to Tharkad Star Colonel. The Archon will meet with you shortly. Kommandant General Russell will see you now. If you will follow me please."

[Daemonknight]

The Clanners followed the Colonel inside, the Elementals maintaining a respectful distance from the officers as they went.

[Deathrider6]

Tharkad.

   Daniel Russell was seated at his desk he motioned Avril and her guests into his office. He stood up as they entered the room and stepped around his desk.

[Daemonknight]

The elemental bodyguard wisely decided to not attempt to enter the General's office, instead taking up flanking positions along the wall outside the door.

The two Clan officers walked in, both offering the General an old-fashioned salute, fist over heart.

"Kommandant General Russell, I am Star Colonel Jeremiah Icaza, of Clan Jade Falcon. This is Star Captain Jamie Reinhardt, Bondsman to ilKhan Diana Pryde, and Officer of the InterClan Watch. The ilKhan has dispatched me to speak with the Archon, concerning his address to the Inner Sphere. It was sugested by Star Captain Reinhardt that such a broadcast was intended to get the attention of the Clans. In that motive, he has succeeded."

[Deathrider6]

Tharkad

  General Russell returned the salute. "The Star Captain is perceptive. That was precisely what Archon Robert intended. His motive is to establish a meaningful dialogue with the Clans as a whole. Personally I find it strange that the Clans changed thier attack plan to a broad front rather than the narrow front used during the initial invasion. According to the data we have recieved in the past 18 years your intent is to prosecute war aganst the supposed blood is it not? If this is the case then attacking on a broad front prolongs the war. The Commonwealth is willing to explore the possibility of facilitating your war with the Terrans."

[Daemonknight]

"I cannot speak for the decisions made so far above my own area of influence, General. I simply command a Cluster in battle, my targets chosen by my Galaxy Commander, or the saKhan or Khan herself. I tend to agree with your assessment. In my eyes, we should be cutting an invasion corridor through to Terra as swiftly as possible. However, strategic doctrine is not the purpose of my visit today.

The ilKhan has charged me and Star Captain Reinhardt with speaking with the Archon. If it is his wish to hasten our march to Terra, I am sure that our talks will bear fruit. In my opinion, the more Inner Sphere realms that realize our war is with the Terrans, and not with them, the better for all involved."

[GraeGor]

In the space around Tharkad, an emergence wave signals the arrival of another vessel. Once the smoke clears, the active and passive sensor arrays don't take long in getting an ID of the latest arrival - the Monolith-Class JumpShip Foreman, last heard to have shifted its allegiance to Charlamagne Steiner and Clan Star Adder.

Several minutes pass without word, though when it does come, the news of who is aboard does come as a shock to the Command & Control crew, "Tharkad C&C, this is Captain Georgia Foreman of the SACS JS Foreman. I have Charlamagne Steiner, urKhan of the Steiner Protectorate as a passenger, requesting permission to detach and land a single DropShip as he wishes to address the leaders and/or representatives of any other Lyran sub-Factions that may be in attendance."

[Deathrider6]

Tharkad


  "Foreman, this is system control. You may send one shuttle weapons powered down to the surface. No more than a single point of battlearmor is allowed for guards. Escort will be provided. You will comply with all instructions of this station. Stand by for escort and further instructions."

[Deathrider6]

General Russell's Office, Tharkad.

   Daniel heard the tinny report in the earpiece he was wearing and looked over at Star Colonel Icaza. "It appears we are about to have additional guests. Charlemange Steiner has arrived. It would seem that the Adders wish to join in. They have been cleared to send a single shuttlecraft. Did the ilKhan give you instructions regarding the appearance of other Clan diplomats?"

[Daemonknight]

"She gave no specific instructions, only that we see the Archon privately. Also, I know that the Adders, the Star Colonel specificlly, are not high on the ilKhan's list of preffered persons to deal with at the moment. They seem to enjoy holding up proceedings with banter rather than get anything useful done, with their insistant and unbudging stance."

[GraeGor]

Tharkad


  "Foreman, this is system control. You may send one shuttle weapons powered down to the surface. No more than a single point of battlearmor is allowed for guards. Escort will be provided. You will comply with all instructions of this station. Stand by for escort and further instructions."

"Copy that Tharkad Control," a brief pause, then an exasperated sigh, "the urKhan agrees and will be departing the Foreman in fifteen."