Though I doubt anyone else besides me has even spared it a thought over the last several minutes.
The tension in the royal hall was beginning to subside after her formal greeting of the Chancellor, though the guards still stood at attention, faces set in hard stares and hands gripping the stocks of their rifles. Sun-Tzu's two Death Commandos looked relaxed but alert, flanking their young lord from two meters behind each shoulder.
Two to her six. And from what she'd heard of the Death Commandos, that was more than sufficient.
The Magestrix was certain of her composure now, though she must certainly have looked at a loss when Sun-Tzu—resplendent in his red silk robes of office— stepped through the door at the end of the hall and announced himself. Her guards had shown more presence of mind, with only a stiffening and slight adjustment of their posture revealing that they but awaited her command. Naomi had not fared quite so well, glancing repeatedly between her mother and the Chancellor of the Capellan Confederation several times before regaining control of herself. Off to one side, behind the line of guards, the young woman Naomi had chosen as escort for the Liao ambassador gasped and looked ready to faint dead away. Fortunately her station was low enough not to reflect on the Magestrix. For once, Emma Centrella was glad for the absence of her eldest daughter. Danai might have reacted badly, especially with the latest evidence of a possible Liao-Andurien alliance aiding the Marian Hegemony.
Sun-Tzu had even managed to use the shock of his arrival to some advantage, dismissing demi-Precentor Jamie Nicholas from the room before Emma was able to collect her thoughts and react. A minor point, Sun-Tzu. Whatever you wish to conceal from the Word of Blake I can pass along, and you have now used up the capital bought with your surprise arrival.
"Chancellor Liao," Emma said smoothly, "please forgive the lack of formalities. Had I known about your coming ..." She trailed off, spreading her hands to express her dismay.
Sun-Tzu stood only a few steps away, at the edge of a narrow strip of purple carpet that ran back to the doors. He wore black shirt and pants under the red silk robes. His hands closed in front of him showed off the gold embroidery on his sleeves, a pattern alternating katana swords and crescent moons. Earlier, when he'd turned back to nod his dismissal to Jamie Nicholas, Emma had seen the design of a large zodiacal dial of Chinese origin spread across the back of the robes.
The universe according to Liao, she had thought.
Now the young Chancellor frowned. "I do not understand, Magestrix. Did not Word of Blake carry my words to you along with my gift?"
Emma answered slowly, still not sure of herself. "Well, yes. That you were sending an ambassador, and would I please grant him audience." She smiled in forced mirth, "Surely you are not the new ambassador to the Magistracy."
His answering smile was obviously feigned innocence. "Ah, I see the error. The message should have been that the Chancellor had dispatched a new ambassador to your state. And that he had also forwarded a personal gift, in hopes that you would receive him. I'm sure that is how I told it to Word of Blake Precentor Carrington on Sian." He spread his hands in a manner similar to the Magestrix' earlier gesture. "Ambassador Yshigo will not arrive for another two weeks, regrettably. She had to finish up business on Capella, and could not take advantage of the command circuit I was using."
You play your little games with a clever hand, Sun-Tzu. But that is all they are. Games. "Had I known, I would have shown honor to an Inner Sphere lord visiting my realm. So let me welcome you again to the Periphery." Only a slight narrowing of his eyes told the Magestrix that Sun-Tzu had not missed her deliberate separation of the Inner Sphere and Periphery. "And now that you are here, what might Canopus offer you?"
If Emma hadn't known better, she might have taken Sun-Tzu's look of confusion at face value. "Magestrix?"
"Your agenda, Chancellor Liao. If there are proposals you wish to make, I may need some time to consult with advisers. But except for matters of state defense, I can promise to clear my schedule for you."
"The Magestrix is most generous, and in fact it is the defense of your state I wish to address. In several ways."
Emma Centrella did not react visibly to Sun-Tzu's words, though she felt her throat suddenly tighten. She heard no hint of challenge in the Liao's tone, but the small fears raised the other evening in her talk with Jamie now came parading forward. Was Sun-Tzu about to admit his alliance with the Marian Hegemony? She carefully swallowed against the constriction. "Oh, yes?"
Sun-Tzu nodded. "I know that the Marian Hegemony has been seriously harassing your borders with increased raiding. I would like to offer the assistance of the Capellan Confederation."
Of all things Sun-Tzu Liao might have said or done, Emma Centrella had not expected this and that left her in a dangerous position. She knew it risky to proceed where she did not already know the answers. And she still did not trust Sun-Tzu, nor was it likely she ever would. But she found herself wishing to hear more. "Please continue, Chancellor."
"As I understand it, the main problem is with the Hegemony's acquisition of newer technology. Perhaps they are being supplied, but it would not be unknown if they had located a treasure trove of lostech."
Lostech, the Inner Sphere term for high technology no longer understood because of the ravages of war. There were always rumors of long-forgotten Star League bases still waiting to be found, but Emma Centrella doubted Sun-Tzu believed that was the case here any more than she did. "That is a possibility," she agreed, conceding the point with the right amount of doubt in her voice.
"Well, we can certainly agree that the Hegemony has not developed the technology themselves. Their educational progression is worse even than the Magistracy's."
Naomi's sharp intake of breath drew a disapproving look from Emma, who turned back to Sun-Tzu and smiled humorlessly. Such a blatantly disrespectful comment might have been grounds to expel any lower diplomat from her realm, but she realized that Sun-Tzu was testing, rather clumsily, her commitment to frankness. "It is as you say, Chancellor," she agreed, though a little coldly. "All the Periphery states suffer somewhat in this area. But we are taking steps to improve."
"Of course," Sun-Tzu said, his smile faltering just a bit as if he was realizing his error. "And that is an area where I am willing to help." He took a step forward, and when he spoke again, his voice had dropped to a dramatic whisper that would not carry past his own guards or the two Centrellas.
"Magestrix Centrella, you have been offering good rates to any mercenaries with access to the newer technology of the Inner Sphere or who have been able to appropriate some from the Clans and put it to use. Your problem is that many mercenaries won't travel into the Periphery if they can help it, and your level of technology is lacking in all areas except entertainment and medicine.
"I will bring in technicians and instructors to help you catch up to the new standards faster than you could on your own. The first of these await aboard my JumpShip, the Celestial Walker, ready to be brought in on your command. And I will provide you with a steady supply of the new equipment, at a very fair rate of exchange. The same for raw resources. Finally, I offer you immediate and long-term military assistance for relief from the raiders."
Her mind almost swimming with the implications of Sun-Tzu's words, the Magestrix still did not miss the significance of that last remark. "You brought military forces into the Magistracy?" she asked, an edge to her voice.
Sun-Tzu literally shrugged the matter aside. "No more than what would be considered a personal guard. One battalion." His thin-lipped smile and the slight Asian tilt to his eyes gave him a look of craftiness. "But they are veterans all, and they are yours for immediate reassignment."
Too fast, Sun-Tzu. You are impatient, and I can make that cost you. "Brixtana," she said, naming a world on the Magistracy-Concordat border. "You will send them at once? Your battalion can free up Harcourt's Aliens, who I can then shift toward the Hegemony border."
Sun-Tzu was caught, unable to demand
a concession from her without losing the good faith he was trying to build. Emma could read it all over his face. He had already offered to send the troops. Then with a shrug he turned and nodded to one of his bodyguards, who trotted back to the door to pass along the order. Turning back to the Centrellas, his face and voice were equally composed. "The word will go up to the Celestial Walker tonight. I will remain on the DropShip Pearl of True Wisdom until it returns." He smiled. "As easy as that, Magestrix. With the boost I can give your nation, what I ask for will seem like a pittance."
You learn fast, Sun-Tzu. I will grant you that. But now I have removed a potential threat to my world and safety as well as one of your bargaining pieces. "And that is?" she asked, as if planning to immediately grant his request.
"Something that will aid both our realms. Your troops need experience in the new tactics of modern warfare. I need troops to finish retaking what the Federated Commonwealth stole from my realm nearly thirty years ago."
Emma Centrella carefully shielded her thoughts from the young Liao's piercing gaze. You have the years and bearing of a man, Sun-Tzu. But to me you are still an infant in the politics of the Inner Sphere, regardless of the strength of your Capellan Confederation or any recent accomplishments. You play at games that give you no real advantage, and you too easily give yourself away. Still, you offer what I need—though that alone is enough to make me suspicious of you.
"There is a reception planned in your honor," she said finally, raising her voice to carry across the hall once more. She enjoyed the quick flash of frustration in Sun-Tzu's eyes without letting on that she'd seen it. "Or, I should say in honor of the Capellan ambassador, but your presence will inspire our entertainers to greater heights."
Almost as if reading her mind, Naomi stood and took a small step forward. Emma smiled at her daughter. "As you seem to be traveling without your betrothed, Isis Marik, my family would be honored if you would allow Naomi to escort you?"
Sun-Tzu's warm smile and bow of respect to Naomi seemed gracious enough, though Emma caught another flash of irritation at the mention of Isis Marik. "I would be honored, Lady Centrella."
Naomi stepped forward immediately, ending Sun-Tzu's audience with the Magestrix. "Chancellor," she said, returning his bow. Sun-Tzu offered her his arm, which she dutifully accepted.
Emma Centrella noticed the look of relief that crossed the face of the courtesan they had chosen for "the Capellan ambassador" as she faded back and then slipped out by a side entrance. While Sun-Tzu escorted Naomi back toward the main doors, Emma Centrella remained seated as if lost in thought. Not until the door finally closed and she was left alone with her guards did she laugh to herself and rise from her chair.
You would hire the Magistracy Armed Forces as you would a mercenary company. A moment of reflection and she amended her thoughts. No, as one of your Warrior Houses. A bold plan, Sun-Tzu.
Emma smiled a full, rich smile, then made her way out the same side entrance that would take her to the reception in time to properly announce the Chancellor. Perhaps one I may even endorse someday. But you are still impatient, and I will make it cost you again before you leave.
12
The Grand Senate
New Rome, Alphard
Marian Hegemony
The Periphery
11 May 3058
Caesar Sean O'Reilly stormed through the half-open door, then slammed it shut with a shove that set its large glass pane to rattling. Gold lettering on the glass read backward from inside the office, but could easily be distinguished as saying Office of Communication. Demi-Precentor Cameron St. Jamais watched as the powerfully built ruler of the Marian Hegemony glanced back through the glass, checking the hallway. Even here in a rear hall of Alphard's Grand Senate, the seat of all legislation for the Marian Hegemony, the Caesar never relaxed.
Satisfied that everyone in the hall had quickly returned to their own business, O'Reilly turned on St. Jamais, his teeth bared and his brilliant green eyes wide with anger. "Sun-Tzu Liao is on Canopus," he said coldly, obviously demanding an explanation.
Dropping his gaze to the Word of Blake reports that he'd been studying a few moments before, St. Jamais finished the section he'd been reading. This was just one of many reports concerning the mercenary units being routed to the Magistracy of Canopus border. Offense-oriented. Small, but highly mobile. Specialists in infiltration, extended raiding, extraction. Glancing up again, he took in the Caesar's challenging stance and let how little it impressed him show plainly on his face. "I know," he said simply, then returned his gaze to the briefing that interested him most. Last assignment, New Home.
"You know? And what have you done about it?" O'Reilly asked.
St. Jamais pushed the pile of reports to the middle of his desk and leaned back in the office's only chair. Resting one elbow on the chair arm, he rested his chin on the thumb and forefinger of that hand. He toyed briefly with the idea of rising to his feet. It had, after all, been the Caesar who'd provided him with this small office, as St. Jamais' mission precluded him from staying in the Word of Blake HPG compound. Precentor Alphard belonged to the Toyama, but Demona Aziz had ordered St. Jamais to use all possible discretion just in case something went wrong. For the same reason she'd chosen Astrokaszy as the base of their operation instead of a border world under heavy Word of Blake influence.
And if things go bad, I would be her sacrifice to the new First Circuit. St. Jamais held no illusions that, if need be, Demona wouldn't mark him a renegade and have him destroyed—all to protect her own position. That was the game they played. If not me, it would be another. But I will succeed where another would fail. And when Demona is named Primus, I will be first among her supporters and await the day when she must finally step down.
And the more he considered both the risks he took and the potential rewards, the less he wanted to put up with Sean O'Reilly. Not only that, he found a certain pleasure in the deference being paid him by the ruler of the Marian Hegemony.
"What would you have me do?" he asked finally, voice calm as he looked O'Reilly in the eye.
O'Reilly shifted uncomfortably, obviously unused to being on this side of such a conversation. He was a man accustomed to the ruthless use of power, and it obviously irritated him that Word of Blake—and St. Jamais in particular—couldn't be cowed.
"Look," he said in a more reasonable tone, "Sun-Tzu Liao has made some big investments in the Hegemony, and so has Thomas Marik. Liao even stands to rule the Free Worlds League, if this marriage to Isis ever happens. I need to know if his visit to Canopus indicates a shift in his allegiance."
St. Jamais' chuckle was ice cold. "Worried about those little pieces of evidence implicating the Capellan Confederation as well as the League that your people left behind after their raids?"
O'Reilly nodded, the humor escaping him. "It would not do if Liao troops suddenly showed up on the Canopus border. Not to mention that the Free Worlds League is our biggest customer of germanium, which is not a luxury item they can afford to suddenly place under embargo. They need it—hell, everyone needs it—for their JumpShips."
"And they might decide that simply taking it away from you would be easier than dealing with a man who would use them in such a manner. You knew the risks," Cameron reminded him. "And it's a bit late to part company now." He smiled at the other's obvious discomfort, then leaned forward, elbows on the desk and hands steepled in front of him. "Don't worry, Caesar O'Reilly. Sun-Tzu Liao's arrival is unexpected, but I doubt it's any cause for concern. In fact, I believe it shows how desperate is the situation of the Magistracy of Canopus. The vultures are starting to circle."
O'Reilly seemed to relax, pacified by the assessment, as St. Jamais had known he would be. He nodded down at the papers St. Jamais had pushed into an awkward pile. "And these reports tell you the purpose for Sun-Tzu's visit?"
A frown. "No." St. Jamais glanced back at the top sheaf, a report on the mercenary companies being hired by Canopus. "Emma Centrella is hiring more merc
enaries, just as I warned that she would. They're like most of their kind—most are 'Mech pilots down on their luck and hoping for a quick score that will get them back to Outreach with enough C-bills to pay off their debts."
"Most?"
"There are a few who could mean trouble. The Maginot 'Mechs are a good defensive unit and came at a higher price, so I've given orders to avoid them if possible. Likewise the Griffin's Pride battalion." He reached out to flick the corner of the top page. "Then there's this one— Avanti's Angels."
Caesar O'Reilly leaned over the desk to scan the report. "It says right here that the unit doesn't perform well in defensive situations. What's the problem?"
"Exactly that, Caesar. Why would Canopus hire such a unit, and at a fair price too, unless they planned on offensive action of some type?"
"You must be joking," O'Reilly scoffed. "According to our intelligence, the MAP is in no condition to strike at my worlds. These mercenaries simply bargained better. I'll order a raiding team to destroy them." He waved the matter off as if it could be dismissed with a casual flick of his wrist. "I want to know what Liao is doing on Canopus. You can find that out for me, and you will do so."
St. Jamais heard the arrogance of command seep back into O'Reilly's voice and decided not to test it this time. "I will order a tighter surveillance on the Liao's movements. His meetings with the Magestrix have taken place in secret, but our representative to the court will uncover the reason for his visit." This time St. Jamais' voice lacked the conviction he knew would mollify the Caesar as he wondered again at the Angels' mission. You can afford to take these mercenaries lightly. I cannot. Still, the Caesar had at least one good suggestion.
"I notice the Angels are bound for Marantha," he said, checking the report again. "Your military has a pirate point for that system?"
"For all of them," O'Reilly returned. "As I recall, Marantha has several that are in very close. A day, perhaps."
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