[Diplomacy/Combat Ops] Turn 11 – 1831 Aitutaki (MTC v's Independent)

[Parmenion]

Zenith Jumppoint, Aitutaki

September 3091
 
Aitutaki's long range sensors picked up the arriving jumpships as soon as they arrived at the zenith and provided a continuous relay to the planetary headquarters of their numbers.  All displayed the eagle of the Free Worlds League on their respective bows, and on many of them a second insignia of a cluster of planets, linked by gold chains, could also be seen.  Then shortly after arrival and minimal transit time via signal to the planet, a message arrived.

"I am Colonel Lester Callwell of the Free Worlds Guards.  Captain-General Corrine Marik has tasked me to have Aitutaki re-enter into the Free Worlds as a productive member of the League.   I would listen to your response to this and would very much prefer that this be accomplished without bloodshed.  However by the number of vessels I have and their attached dropships, the other option is not so well, pleasant.  For all concerned.  You will not find the Captain-General un-generous if you voluntary re-enter.  I await your reply."

ooc: 
2nd Free Worlds Guards "Ever Faithful"
2nd Free Worlds Guards ASF Wings
8th Free Worlds Guards ASF Wings
2nd Free Worlds Guards Escort Flotilla
2nd Free Worlds Guards Transport Flotilla

[Fatebringer]

See PM.

[Parmenion]

Aitutaki

Colonel Lester Callwell was indeed surprised when the response came in.  He had half expected a 'fight to the last' response from the rulers of the formerly Regulan aligned planet.  Instead, the offer for him to land his command, albeit in a reasonably isolated part of the planet, and then to engage in talks, took him by surprise.  Later, his head bursting, he almost wished for combat instead.

For once landed, he had meet with the planetary commander.  No civilian Governor here, as Aitutaki had a history steeped in military tradition.  The Aitutaki Academy, destroyed in the Jihad, had thrown up any number of decorated veterans over the years and it was one of those veterans that Colonel Callwell faced across the negotiation table.  Commandant Gurbakhsh Singh, who had also been the last commandant of the Military Academy, and although no friend to the government on Regulus after they had caste off Aitutaki, had held the line in his requirements.  Rebuilding of the Aitutakai Academy as a priority.  Established of a permanent military force. Infrastructure.  Job creation schemes.  The list had appeared endless.  Some demands had been relatively easy to accommodate, while others were fielded by the two goverment advisors brought along by Caldwell.  The sticking point had been Aitutaki Academy, as it's modus operandi prior to the jihad had caused the LCCC no end of grief.  In the end, it had come down to the Commandant agreeing to very select rules of operation before Caldwell had agreed to it's rebuilding. 

The task completed, Aitutaki now flew the standard of the Free Worlds League.