The Pace of Progress -- Prologue
-- Royal Study, St. Ives --
“You know I can’t really support how you handled it. I’m not sure why you’d ask me to do so.”
First Prince Hanse Davion of the Federated Commonwealth flexed his fingers slowly, working through the motion meticulously, letting his flash of frustration fade as he processed the rejection his friend had just stated so bluntly.
“Justin, you know how difficult the MRB has made things for me. Authorizing contracts inside commonwealth space to neutral mercenary units behind my lines. It was a violation of norms-“
“I know that, Hanse, but wiping out those commands even after their surrender was too far. Even allied units are uncomfortable – I’ve spoken with Morgan Kell, and he’s having to explain things to his people. There’s a lot of uncertainty right now. If you keep this up, you may destroy the very concept of the mercenary mechwarrior, largely by forcing them into conflict against your own army.”
Hanse sank back into the leather armchair across from the former Solaris champion, double agent, and trusted advisor who he had come to consult with – Justin Allard-Liao. The veteran mechwarrior was sitting in his own chair, dressed in muted olive-green pants and a khaki dinner jacket, a uniform of the political warfare he now engaged in.
“Justin, you know that if we succeed in uniting the inner sphere, there won’t be a need for mercenaries, it would be better if they would accept a place in the AFFC. More stable, safer, and lawful.”
This argument was met with a shake of the head. “You know they don’t want that – some might, but for many mechwarriors, the mercenary life is more than money. It’s freedom, a thrill… a legacy. You can’t just expect to stamp that out without resistance.”
“I know that, but I can’t just let them take the role of partisan fighters behind my lines!” Hanse slammed a fist on an armrest, annoyed by the padding muffling the thump and deflating the impact of the gesture.
“Of course, but be the Fox, not the Bear. The Commonwealth is big, but that strength is also a weakness. Slow down, consolidate… build bridges.” Justin narrowed his eyes, and added, “You know all this. You’ve done it before… so why the rush?”
Hanse rubbed his chin, amazed still that Justin could see through him despite not growing up in the political sphere. “I’ve got children. I don’t want to leave them an inner sphere at war the same as I inherited – now is a moment when things can truly change. The balance of power is shifted, and with a little more of a push, the job could be finished.”
“Or the entire house could come tumbling down.”
The pointed rebuke was surprising, and Justin’s tone was uncharacteristically harsh. Enough so that Hanse paused, furrowing his brow.
“What am I missing, Justin?”
Justin swept back his dark hair, already streaked with gray, a trait Hanse distractedly realized he also exhibited. Had they both grown old so soon?
“I have received word from diplomats in several nations in and out of the periphery, looking to form pacts of mutual protection. I have had offers from mercenary companies for rich compensation if the St. Ives Compact could serve as a basing point for operations. You may unite the inner-sphere, but it may be against you. There is an… unusual… degree of co-ordination against the Federated Commonwealth.”
Hanse went quiet, pondering those words. The crack and pop of the fire was the only sound for several minutes. It was not in Justin’s character to exaggerate or bring up such concerns lightly. He was hinting at more than just the usual political maneuvering, more than the expected efforts of the Draconis Combine or stunted Capellan Commonwealth.
After allowing the silence to stretch out an uncomfortable time, he finally nodded. “We should spend some time building, yes. Reassure the mechwarriors of the sphere that they have a place in the future.”
Justin nodded, but didn’t speak, allowing the Fox to finish his thought, though what came next surprised him nonetheless.
“Justin, your wife may be annoyed at me for asking you this, but would you be willing to take a trip back to Solaris for me?”
“You know I can’t really support how you handled it. I’m not sure why you’d ask me to do so.”
First Prince Hanse Davion of the Federated Commonwealth flexed his fingers slowly, working through the motion meticulously, letting his flash of frustration fade as he processed the rejection his friend had just stated so bluntly.
“Justin, you know how difficult the MRB has made things for me. Authorizing contracts inside commonwealth space to neutral mercenary units behind my lines. It was a violation of norms-“
“I know that, Hanse, but wiping out those commands even after their surrender was too far. Even allied units are uncomfortable – I’ve spoken with Morgan Kell, and he’s having to explain things to his people. There’s a lot of uncertainty right now. If you keep this up, you may destroy the very concept of the mercenary mechwarrior, largely by forcing them into conflict against your own army.”
Hanse sank back into the leather armchair across from the former Solaris champion, double agent, and trusted advisor who he had come to consult with – Justin Allard-Liao. The veteran mechwarrior was sitting in his own chair, dressed in muted olive-green pants and a khaki dinner jacket, a uniform of the political warfare he now engaged in.
“Justin, you know that if we succeed in uniting the inner sphere, there won’t be a need for mercenaries, it would be better if they would accept a place in the AFFC. More stable, safer, and lawful.”
This argument was met with a shake of the head. “You know they don’t want that – some might, but for many mechwarriors, the mercenary life is more than money. It’s freedom, a thrill… a legacy. You can’t just expect to stamp that out without resistance.”
“I know that, but I can’t just let them take the role of partisan fighters behind my lines!” Hanse slammed a fist on an armrest, annoyed by the padding muffling the thump and deflating the impact of the gesture.
“Of course, but be the Fox, not the Bear. The Commonwealth is big, but that strength is also a weakness. Slow down, consolidate… build bridges.” Justin narrowed his eyes, and added, “You know all this. You’ve done it before… so why the rush?”
Hanse rubbed his chin, amazed still that Justin could see through him despite not growing up in the political sphere. “I’ve got children. I don’t want to leave them an inner sphere at war the same as I inherited – now is a moment when things can truly change. The balance of power is shifted, and with a little more of a push, the job could be finished.”
“Or the entire house could come tumbling down.”
The pointed rebuke was surprising, and Justin’s tone was uncharacteristically harsh. Enough so that Hanse paused, furrowing his brow.
“What am I missing, Justin?”
Justin swept back his dark hair, already streaked with gray, a trait Hanse distractedly realized he also exhibited. Had they both grown old so soon?
“I have received word from diplomats in several nations in and out of the periphery, looking to form pacts of mutual protection. I have had offers from mercenary companies for rich compensation if the St. Ives Compact could serve as a basing point for operations. You may unite the inner-sphere, but it may be against you. There is an… unusual… degree of co-ordination against the Federated Commonwealth.”
Hanse went quiet, pondering those words. The crack and pop of the fire was the only sound for several minutes. It was not in Justin’s character to exaggerate or bring up such concerns lightly. He was hinting at more than just the usual political maneuvering, more than the expected efforts of the Draconis Combine or stunted Capellan Commonwealth.
After allowing the silence to stretch out an uncomfortable time, he finally nodded. “We should spend some time building, yes. Reassure the mechwarriors of the sphere that they have a place in the future.”
Justin nodded, but didn’t speak, allowing the Fox to finish his thought, though what came next surprised him nonetheless.
“Justin, your wife may be annoyed at me for asking you this, but would you be willing to take a trip back to Solaris for me?”
Head GM :: Only GM :: Pay your bills :: Harmless
It's all fun and games until someone loses their HD.
It's all fun and games until someone loses their HD.