Fire at Will

by Blaine Lee Pardoe

  The archon smiled grimly. “These tiny nations will come across our border. The ordinary men and women of the Commonwealth remember previous invasions. Our enemies have struck at us again and again. Whenever they do, we lose worlds, our defenses are caught off guard and we are forced to step back.”

  “And then we reclaim those worlds.”

  A nod was her response. “I have no desire to fall into the traps of the past, Trillian. I propose going after the Free Worlds League—hit them before they get the chance to hit us. Pummel them hard . . . but not hard enough to inspire them to unite under one banner, just hard enough that they do not pose a threat to the Commonwealth again in my lifetime.” She urged her horse to a trot and Trillian did the same.

  The archon had hit upon the key to conducting such an operation; Melissa always understood the delicate line you had to walk in employing military assets. The last thing anyone wanted was for one of the Mariks to reunite the Free Worlds League. “We will need to convince our people that this is a worthy cause. The Lyran nation does not start wars—we end them,” Trillian cautioned.

  The archon’s eyes narrowed. “With the Mariks, it is a matter of when they will strike at us—not if. But if our people need convincing, I trust that you can provide them with a just reason. Given enough time, we will find the threats needed to persuade our people that such a war is just. History is replete with such cases. You will find a cause and make it stick.”

  And there was the twist. It was classic Melissa, ever the grand strategist. The hard part—the details—that was Trillian’s job . . . and she loved it. Yes, circumstances and the media could be manipulated. It was all a matter of crafting the right story and making sure that it was told properly and often. She’s playing to either my strength or my ego. In the end, it didn’t matter to Trillian.

  “If we start this war, it will prove to the other nations that we are not to be trifled with. That’s actually the easy part. But there are ‘domestic challenges’ who will try to take advantage of the situation while our attention is on the war.”

  “Domestic challenges” was the code phrase they attached to Duke Vedet Brewster of Hesperus II. Trillian referred to him as Duke Vedet, assigning his royal title to his first name as was the custom in Skye. It was an awkward tradition that she pained herself to master.

  At the mention of the duke, the archon pushed Golden Charm to a canter, then to a gallop. She hit the shallow ford for the stream before Trillian had swung Big Ben into line to follow her. The splash of the cool water surprised Trillian as she reached the opposite bank, where the archon had stopped and turned.

  “I have only a few options with the duke. You were the one who pointed that out to me, Trillian. I can sit back and let him cause trouble on his own, or I can control the trouble he causes. I have thought long and hard about this. I want Vedet Brewster to be given the opportunity to lead this invasion.”

  Trillian said nothing. Duke Vedet had proven to be ambitious. He had recently loaned a WarShip to Jasek Kelswa-Steiner’s Stormhammers for use against the Jade Falcons in the Skye region. Providing such an awesome weapon to a unit that had only recently pledged itself to House Steiner was not only outside his authority; it was a calculated risk. Trillian kept a close eye on his activities, and so far there was nothing treasonous in his actions—but it was certain that he was seeking a broader role for himself than just running Defiance Industries on Hesperus II. The duke wanted political power. There was no doubt in either of their minds that his efforts were focused on the throne itself.

  Which was what made the archon’s plan so incredible.

  “You would put military units under the control of a businessman with ambitions as large as his?”

  Archon Steiner smiled. “I control the military. I know he’s tried to seed some loyal officers into the ranks, but I have arranged a string of seemingly unrelated transfers to account for most of them. The invasion plan will be mine, and I will keep him in check by controlling the military.”

  “What if he crushes the Free Worlds League, or even just key parts of it—which you have to admit is a very real possibility? He could come out of this a hero in the eyes of the people. He will gain experience in managing large-scale military operations, and might earn the loyalty of key military leaders in the process.”

  “That won’t happen.”

  Trillian stared at Melissa in silence, waiting for her to continue.

  “If the duke tries to use this as a step upward, he will fail. He has a protégé, Bernard Nordhoff, who appears to have impressive ambitions of his own. We can use him as one way to check Brewster.

  “Ultimately, however, he will fail because you will ensure that he is unable to turn anything that he accomplishes into political capital. Running a corporation doesn’t prepare you for the complexity of managing a large-scale military operation—you know that.” She trotted Golden Charm again, and it took Trillian a few moments to catch up. “He’s out of his league, pun intended. Men like Brewster have such egos they don’t know when they’re in over their heads. Your job is to make sure he faces that reality.”

  “It is still risky, leaving him alone out in the field.” Trillian spoke somberly.

  “Which is why you’ll be there as my adviser,” Melissa replied.

  Trillian knew her face betrayed her shock. She had served as the public adviser to the archon for years. She had undergone extensive training in the Diplomatic Corps and possessed strong negotiation skills. Recently, Melissa had begun sending her to hot spots as the archon’s envoy. But this—this assignment was much larger. She was going to ride herd on a military invasion and try to keep its nominal leader on a leash.

  “Melissa, you are asking a great deal.”

  “More than you know,” the archon answered, a slightly ominous tone coloring her voice. “Part of what I want to accomplish with the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth is to give them something to think about other than coming after us or enlarging their holdings in what remains of The Republic. They need a new worry, one to keep Anson Marik off balance, keep all of our would-be enemies at bay.”

  Her cousin paused, turned her horse slightly, then continued. “You are going to open diplomatic relations with Clan Wolf through the Wolves in Exile. I want you to bargain with the Wolves to strike at the border between what used to be The Republic and the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth.”

  The Wolves. She felt her face flush with anxiety. Making a deal with the Wolves was a scenario that she had discussed with the archon months ago, an idea mentioned in passing as part of another conversation. Obviously, Melissa had thought it over and embraced the concept of dealing with the Clan splinter that had lived in the Lyran Commonwealth for generations. I almost pity Anson Marik. . . . “Melissa, bargaining with the Wolves is—”

  “You will meet with Patrik Fetladral,” Melissa interrupted, “the leader of the Wolves in Exile, and use him to feel out Clan Wolf. Using the Wolves in Exile gives us a certain degree of deniability if word leaks out about any discussion between House Steiner and Clan Wolf. I know that Clan Wolf entered into a similar agreement with Clan Hell’s Horses years ago, so I think we have the precedent we need to gain their help. Get the audience with Fetladral, and I will close the negotiations. With the Wolves hitting them from the front of the weakened Republic and our forces under Vedet hitting them from our border, Anson Marik is held in check.”

  “You are practically guaranteeing success to Duke Vedet.”

  She shook her head. “No, Trillian. I am guaranteeing success to the Lyran Commonwealth. You will guarantee that the success of this war is reflected on my administration. You will be my personal envoy, fully empowered even to command military units if that is what you need.”

  “What you are asking—”

  The archon cut her off again. “What I am asking is for you to be my eyes and ears at the front, Trillian. You are to ensure that the duke doesn’t get all the credit for this invasion, and that he doesn’t succeed in anything that
might catapult him into more power. At the same time, I’m counting on you to negotiate the peace for this incursion. You, above all people, know that we can’t leave the Duchy and the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth in total shambles. It’s a fine line between leaving them a significantly reduced threat and ripe for unification.” The archon broke into a canter and headed for a low fieldstone wall. She jumped it with ease. Trillian stared at her from a distance and carefully considered what her cousin was telling her.

  I have to find a way to ensure that any success that Duke Vedet achieves is reflected on House Steiner— not on him personally. It was possible. In fact, she could already think of one officer, Roderick Frost, who would be able to help her with that goal. Convincing him to help will be difficult, but he’s perfect for helping me sway public opinion to the Steiners rather than the duke. It’s all a matter of timing.

  At the same time, I have to negotiate with Clan Wolf, a very dangerous proposition. Her mind grappled with the possibilities. Yes, this was all achievable, but it was like juggling hand grenades; with each catch or toss, one was likely to explode. What was at risk was not just the safety of the Lyran people along the border but the future of the Commonwealth.

  She stared at Melissa, now far ahead of her on the other side of the wall. She’s asking a lot of me. I only hope I don’t fail her. She brought Big Ben to a canter and headed to the wall. He hesitated at the last moment, but she tightened her leg and calf muscles and pushed him on, despite his fear. Ben leapt forward and she remained stiff, almost rigid, in the saddle, leaning forward slightly.

  “It looked as if he was going to balk,” the archon commented as she rode up beside her.

  “He tried,” she replied. “He simply needed some persuading.”

  “I know I’m asking a great deal from you in the coming months, Trillian,” the archon said. “But I also know that you are up to the task. You are one of the few people I can trust with this assignment. You have always acted with House Steiner’s interests, and the interests of the Lyran people, first. I trust you to do what is right—and what is necessary.”

  “I will need a great deal of leeway with the military. We need to ensure that they make up part of the plan designed to keep Duke Vedet overtaxed. And I recommend we keep him in the dark about our dealings with Clan Wolf. Politically, that information in his hands in advance of their involvement, regardless of what we negotiate, is too risky.”

  “I concur. Even I know that it is easy to start wars. Ending them is where the real skill comes into play. This war will have to end just right, or it will spawn wars for generations to come.”

  “I am going to reach out to Roderick,” Trillian proposed. “I think if I leverage him properly, he can be an asset.”

  The archon cocked her eyebrow in surprise. “Roderick? You know how he is about family affairs.”

  Trillian smiled. “Yes. At the same time, you know that he was not to blame for that raid. And his grandfather, our great-uncle, was a great military leader, and a very good archon himself.”

  “He’s always turned his back on the family.”

  “No one has ever given him a chance to come to terms with his heritage on his own.”

  “Agreed, then. I’ve always liked Roderick, ever since we were kids. The only thing that has held him back is his hereditary stubbornness and himself. Anything else?”

  “You know Klaus Wehner, on my staff? He will act as my liaison with the military high command. Finally, I want the authority to alter the military plans on the fly to meet objectives as I deem appropriate.”

  “If it will keep the duke in check, you have all the authority you need.”

  Trillian paused. “This plan of yours has a lot of moving parts.”

  “You won’t let me down, Trillian,” Melissa said as she cantered off. Trillian barely caught her final words. “If you fail, then everything is lost.”

  Trillian felt a chill run down her spine. The archon was not exaggerating.

  1

  Tharkad, Lyran Commonwealth

  15 January 3137

  Trillian knew that the public couldn’t fully appreciate the intricacies of diplomacy and negotiations. Talks with any government were a delicate balancing act, like walking a tightrope. Critics of the government couldn’t figure out why both sides wouldn’t just sit down and talk, but it was never that easy. Diplomacy required getting to know each other, developing trust, learning the boundaries of each person involved in the talks and of each government. Some of it was posturing—some of it was bravado. The average citizen rarely understood where the words ended and the bullets began.

  In an important symbolic gesture of respect, she had traveled to Arc-Royal to meet with Patrik Fetladral and deliver the archon’s proposal for leveraging the Wolves in the Lyran Commonwealth’s planned military operation. He had invited her to go bow hunting, and was surprised by her skill. Like so many others, he initially had been deceived by her appearance. Like other men, he was so caught up with how I looked that he didn’t wonder if I had had any training. Trillian took pride in the fact that she was much more than just a beautiful spokesperson for the Commonwealth. My looks are just another weapon in the arsenal. . . .

  Now the Wolves were ready to talk, but they established their parameters before discussions started. Patrik Fetladral of the exiled Wolves had committed to replying to the archon’s proposal by 15 January. Before that day, his WarShip arrived in the Tharkad system under the guise of a scheduled diplomatic mission. Though the Wolf visit had been announced, the military commanders were edgy with a Wolf WarShip so near Tharkad.

  The room where the Lyran and Wolf leaders met was comfortable but not opulent, situated far from the formal ceremonies. The banner of the Lyran Commonwealth hung behind Melissa Steiner, the upthrust blue-mailed fist, symbol of the realm, contrasting nicely with her deep maroon dress. Trillian considered her leader and hid a smile; Melissa too used her looks to beguile those who considered themselves somehow superior.

  Three Wolf warriors sat facing her, their own banner serving as a backdrop behind Patrik. The Wolf leader wore dress leathers and a simply styled shirt. Outside of this room, he could have been mistaken for a common laborer. In this chamber of the palace, he clearly represented great power.

  His broad nose and massive muscular frame provided a physical reminder of just how dangerous Clan Wolf could be, regardless of the form in which it appeared. Many in the Inner Sphere considered the Wolves in Exile a tame pack, domesticated by years of contact with the Lyran Commonwealth. Trillian and Melissa did not make that mistake. The main body of Clan Wolf had spent decades wedged between Clan Jade Falcon, their bitter enemies, and the powerful Ghost Bears of the Rasalhague Dominion. They had long sought an efficient avenue to expand their territory, and Trillian’s cousin offered them that chance. It was a risky gamble, even when the negotiations were conducted with the less-alien Exiles. Trillian attempted an analogy to caution her cousin, saying, “A wolf in a cage is dangerous. It is even more dangerous when set free.”

  Melissa restated the proposal that Trillian had delivered on Arc-Royal weeks earlier. Patrik Fetladral’s face showed no reaction. It was as if his features were carved from granite. For a few moments he said nothing. “I presented your proposal to the Clan leadership. What you are proposing does not appeal to us,” he finally responded. “At least in its present form.”

  “I believe we are asking no more than the contract Clan Wolf made with Clan Hell’s Horses, to bid for possession of three worlds on the border with the Ghost Bears. It gave them a tiny occupation zone and gave you a buffer against the Bears. In a similar way, it is to our mutual benefit to ensure that House Marik remains in a strategically weakened state. You would be gaining worlds, and we would form that buffer.”

  He sliced his hand through the air to cut her off. “Wolves will never fight under another banner, Archon. Turning over our troops to you would not be efficient. Your commanders would not know how to use us effectively, and my
commanders would not follow your orders. The Wolves fight for themselves.”

  Melissa did not have Fetladral’s poker face. Her cheeks hinted pink with embarrassment. Trillian could easily have jumped in and clarified the Lyran position, to gracefully give some ground. But she knew it was important to let the archon handle it. Melissa knows she asked too much. Let’s see how she backs away from this without losing face.

  “I see your point, Khan Fetladral,” the archon replied, buying herself some time. “I had not fully considered my proposal from your Clan’s perspective.”

  “No offense is taken, Archon,” Fetladral replied. “The Wolf Khan and I have discussed parameters for your proposal, and I have authorization to bid on their behalf for participation in such a military operation.”

  “Bid?”

  Trillian interjected. “The Clans rarely decide matters using diplomacy. In this case, I believe the Khan is suggesting their system of bidding in lieu of diplomatic talks.” Fetladral acknowledged her point with a single nod, which Trillian returned. She understood the Clan mentality; in the same way, she could understand the military mind-set without being a military leader.

  “I see,” Melissa replied. “Then you have me at a disadvantage. I am unsure where to begin, Khan Fetladral.”

  A narrow smile suggested that he enjoyed having her on a battlefield of his choosing. “You have already bid, Archon, in your original proposal. I will now offer a counterbid on behalf of the Wolves. Your plan intrigues us, and so we bid for the Wolves to attack worlds of our choosing along the border between the Marik-Stewart Commonwealth and the former Republic worlds.”

  The archon mulled over his words. “Without proper coordination, our troops may fire on each other inadvertently.”