The Other Option

THE OTHER OPTION KAPTEYNS FIRST STRIKE BOOK 2 A gathering of spite 1 Book 2 A Gathering of Spite THE OTHER OPTION: KAPTEYN’S FIRST STRIKE Book 2: A Gathering of Spite 2 THE OTHER OPTION: KAPTEYN’S FIRST STRIKE Book 2: A Gathering of Spite 3 Chapter 23 Elmau, Bavaria, Terra. 15 September, 3023. Candace Liao looked around the conference table once everyone had seated themselves. To her right was Senior Colonel Pavel Ridzik, well tuned out in his CCAF dress uniform, but nevertheless, looking like he felt a little overawed. Candace had had to pull the Colonel into line twice already during the conferences regarding the coming war. Since the attempted assassination on the Liao family through poisoning, Candace had been required to assume a greater role in the leadership of her nation, hence her presence here. Her father was still a wreck, the doctors believing that his recovery would take two years and never be a complete one. Romano had recovered quickly, although the paranoia the attack generated had sent her further down the spiral of distrust and manic reaction to perceived threats. The little bitch bore watching before, now I have to double my caution. Her assault on Chesterton may have to be made a little harder than she anticipated, ensuring her glorious end as a martyr for the Capellan state. Candace still felt poorly of a morning, but each day since the attempt three months ago, she had felt a slight improvement. To Candace’s left sat Precentor Sian, her plain features masking her keen intellect and ability to see to the heart of issues quickly and clearly. Candace valued her insight to a point, but knew better than to trust the ComStar Precentor too far. Across from the Liao group was the Marik contingent, consisting of Captain‐General Janos Marik, appearing to be more life like than she had been led to believe he could. Her advisors had put this recovery down to his recent wins over Parliament and the return and assistance of his son Thomas. Thomas, quite and reserved, sat next to his father, leafing through the documents that sat before him, as they did before each person at the table. Candace knew Thomas would bear watching, as his assistance to his father so far had born the League new strength, strength that would one day be turned against the Capellan people. Completing the group opposite Candace was the ever present, yet ever demure, Precentor Atreus, a man almost as forgettable as Precentor Sian, but also just as effective. The group to Candace’s right consisted of the party from the Draconis Combine. The young Coordinator, Theodore, had an air of confidence and power, one that despite its natural strength, paled next to that of his military advisor, Yorinaga Kurita. The man had an immense aura, it could almost be felt. Without even trying he dominated the table, but in a way that offered no threat or malice, it was just simply there. Candace suspected that Pavel’s ill humour was due to his own feeling of inadequacy compared to the presence of his equal from the Combine. Precentor Waterly had placed her aide as Precentor Dieron, Precentor Nishara Singh, a dark skinned waif of a woman of extraordinary beauty, with the Combine delegation. The final group was that of ComStar, consisting of Precentor Myndo Waterly of Dieron herself, as self righteous and self assured as her father had said she would be. Precentor Dieron was flanked by her military advisors, the powerful looking Precentor Martial Angus THE OTHER OPTION: KAPTEYN’S FIRST STRIKE Book 2: A Gathering of Spite 4 Hamilton, a man who had so far not only impressed the three leaders present, but just as importantly their military advisors as well. The other man was simply introduced as Precentor Grahame Neville. He seemed to be subordinate to Hamilton, but was treated with great respect by the Precentor Martial. He was responsible for the supply and transport of ComStar and allied supplies and troops and a man that Candace knew she could not afford to offend for any reason. Hence why she had been forced to stomp on Senior Colonel Ridzik, as the Colonel had developed an intense dislike of Precentor Neville. For a leader of men Colonel Ridzik you can be the most petty of individuals. Well Pavel, you will be tolerated until such time as I am Chancellor. At that point you can retire, in what ever manner you choose, or force me to choose for you. Precentor Martial Hamilton took the lead, as it seemed that Precentor Waterly was happy to accede to his military experience. “I hope, this afternoon, to go over what we have discussed to date before we move into more detailed planning over the next few days. Should anyone have additional comments or ideas, now will be the best time to air them so that they can be incorporated into the planning sessions to come.” The Precentor Martial brought up a holographic image that showed the Inner Sphere, with Terra at its centre and the Lyran Commonwealth/Draconis Combine border running to the maps top. “I will start with the Combine’s planned operations if that is acceptable Coordinator, Kanrei?” Theodore nodded whilst answering “Of course Precentor Martial.” Yorinaga made an almost imperceptible bow to indicate his own assent. “Thankyou. Operation URIZEN, the assault on the Lyran border was, as you rightly pointed out Kanrei, to have been originally launched too close to Skye to effectively draw off Lyran reinforcements from the Terran region. Although the Moesby Thumb is a tempting target, the area immediately below Tamar that Coordinator Kurita has identified should suit our purposes admirably.” Theodore spoke up. “Yes, I agree. We have the further option of threatening or later assaulting Tamar should we require it. The Lyrans cannot afford to ignore this strike.” Angus focused the map on the region below Tamar. “Exactly Coordinator. By striking from Volders, Wheel and Quarrel at Maestu, Cusset, Biota, Montmarault, La Grave and Orkney, the DCMS will be able to isolate a string of seven border worlds from Kobe to Carse for later reduction. The threat to Tamar comes through the potential to close off its access to the Commonwealth through Laurent and Severn. We anticipate that reserves in the Tamar district, as well as part of the strategic reserve at Tharkad, would be mobilised to assist.” “They have to react. If they don’t, they will allow the DCMS to overrun the heart of the Tamar region.” Said Colonel Ridzik in a voice full of self assurance. Angus accepted the Colonel’s point as he continued. “A point we all agree on. This brings us to Operation SHIRO. The DCMS plans a similar strike, based upon the original salient cutting concept that Duchess Liao produced last year, to cut off Galtor. As the Kanrei pointed out, as long as the strike is weighted from Galedon, the AFFS should shift to protect their spinward flank, especially if Wolf’s Dragoons are there in reserve. We cannot prevent the reinforcement of Robinson, but the plan to move the Dragoons rapidly THE OTHER OPTION: KAPTEYN’S FIRST STRIKE Book 2: A Gathering of Spite 5 towards Terra using a command circuit for the main invasion, should catch the AFFS by surprise.” The map jumped to Galtor at the Precentor’s command as he continued. “Using forces from Galtor and the Ryuken regiments, the DCMS will strike from Tripoli, Thestria and later from Misery to take Eldiere IV, Glenmora, Bergman’s Planet, Harrow’s Sun, Bennet III, Crossing, Lima, Royal and Breed. This will isolate the remaining six planets of the Galtor region for reduction as required.” Moving the map again, the Precentor brought up the Capellan/FedSuns border in the St. Ives region. Candace got skewered by the penetrating look that the Precentor Martial had when directly engaging a person. It would have been unbalancing had Candace not been trained to deal with such situations. “Duchess Liao, your Operation WUHAN and Operation CANTON are designed to cut off the Kittery and Ziliang salients and were the catalyst for the other plans. I must again commend you on the simplicity and directness of your planning, it has allowed us to expand your concept to assist in other areas.” Candace nodded her thanks. It is always nice to have ones ass kissed in public. The Precentor Martial continued. “Initial strikes from St. Ives, Warlock, Teng, Mitchell and Jacson will land on Shoreham, Royalston, Happajarvi, Corella, Hadnall, Safe Port, Sirdar, Glentworth, Cotocallo and Courcellete to begin the isolation of the salients. Follow up strikes from St. Ives, Maladar, Texlos and Xieng Khouang will complete the isolation and allow you to reduce the remaining eleven worlds at your leisure. Combined with the strike on Galtor, the AFFS will be forced to commit the bulk of its reserves if it wishes to have any real chance of stopping the assaults.” “We can only hope the Fox sees the situation that way. He may well see our ruse and sacrifice the salients to protect his link with Terra.” Yorinaga stared at the projection before him as he spoke. “We must therefore assure that our plan survives contact with him.” Said Thomas Marik. “Yes, Captain‐General, that we must. Which brings me to the final initial strike: the Free Worlds League’s Operation THRESHER. I must thank you Captain‐General for allowing Thomas and I to modify the initial plan. Should the strikes through the border near Hyde gone in, the reinforcements for the LCAF would have been too close to Terra for the second phase of attacks to have avoided them.

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