|
|
Rumours of War
Political maneuvering in the Fed Suns
by Stephen Tempest |
|
From: Pte Josh Simmonds, 1st Armington Militia, Fort Ozark
15 July 3062
Dear Ma and Pa
Well we just got back from field eks/ exercises which was great fun. Sergeant Brett gave me a sachell full of Explosives and made me practise climbing up a tree he says I am now, Anti-Mech Infantry. We'll show those Snakes or Caps or Taurians if they invade Armington!
The other news is, we just got a re-inforcement at the fort. They are troops from the and they are supposed to be real good, but in my Opinion they are stuck-up ponces (sorry Ma) with their fancy uniforms and posh New Avalon accents. Me and the boys plan on seeing just how Tough they are when we next get some leave!
Your loving son,
Josh
____
From: C-in-C Davion Medium Guards, Armington, Kearny Combat Region
23 July 3062
Sir,
I acknowledge receipt of your orders transferring our integral transport facility to Crucis March Central JumpShip Reserve, but I feel it is my duty to protest this decision. Your briefing stated that the Guards were being transferred to the Periphery border because of increasing fears of pirate incursions from Tortuga and the Mica Majority. By removing our strategic mobility, you have made it impossible for us to react to any enemy attacks at all, unless by sheer chance they choose to raid Armington's goat farms. I therefore respectfully request that, in order to allow us to carry out our assigned mission, this order be rescinded.
Yours faithfully
Georgette Francis, General, AFFS
____
From: Crucis March Regional Command, New Avalon
27 July 3062
General Francis,
The Field Marshal has noted your comments. Your request is denied.
P. Smithson, AdC to FM Gallagher
____
From: SLDF Intelligence Command, Tukayyid
18 August 3062
V:
One of our people on New Avalon found the attached left lying on a photocopier. Do you think we can use it?
JC
____
From: Office of the Commanding General, SLDF, Tukayyid
18 August 3062
Jerry,
Looks good. Pass it to George, why don't you? I'm sure he can arrange something similar to our other surprises. Let me know if he needs any financial support.
Got to go - there's a man at the door delivering a bouquet of flowers for Omi. Dinner tonight?
Victor
____
From: Customer Services, P&O Shipping Company, New Syrtis Branch.
9 September 3062
My Lord Duke,
I wish to present our company's profound thanks at Your Grace's kind decision to place your business with us. May I say that it is a truly noble gesture for Your Grace to sponsor an educational visit for so many of the citizens of one of our most benighted Periphery planets to the cultural highlights of our nation's capital? It will naturally take us some time to assemble the required number of JumpShips, but I assure you that they will reach Armington before your stated deadline of 30 November.
I do have one question, however. Your seneschal has informed me that the cultural exchange visitors will be taking with them examples of their native handicrafts, in sealed crates massing from 20 up to 100 tons. Can I ask if these goods will require any special handling, and whether they are fragile in any way?
Respectfully yours,
Tsi-ling Chernevka, Customer Services Manager
____
From: Recorded Conversation, LIC archives
12 November 3062
He did WHAT! What kind of idiot does he take me for? He's gone too far this time, Alicia! I want his head for this!
<2nd female voice> That may not be wise at the moment. The Duke still has a lot of support, and our, er, "special programmes" in the March haven't had much effect yet. Furthermore, any open action you take against Hasek will...
<1st fv> ..Will get that blasted Sandoval up in arms too, and I can't afford that, not at the moment. Not yet. I know, Alicia, I know. Simon, tell me: how does this affect the military situation?
Badly, I'm afraid. If this intelligence *is* true...
<2nd fv>...Of *course* it's true!
Well then, if it's true then the loyal forces we have here will be overmatched. And we can't bring in more troops without dangerously stripping the borders - unless you think Sun-tzu's promises can be trusted?
<1st fv> Hah! No, there's only one thing to do; and that's to make sure these "tourists" never reach New Avalon. Here's my plan...
____
From: Agent Gamma 3, Tamar. Encryption Code 235423, Priority GOLD.
25 November 3062
My Khan,
I must inform you that Vlad received a further communication from Source White two days ago. I have been able to establish beyond doubt that the message was transmitted from a location to rimward of the planet Domain, which would put it in Rasalhague or Lyran territory.
By chance, a member of the labourer caste was repairing a ventilator in Vlad's room when the message arrived. On reading it, the so-called 'Khan' was heard to exclaim: "That freebirth bitch! Only *she* would dare do something like this!" The labourer observed with surprise that rather than anger, Vlad's voice appeared to reflect admiration and even pride. Naturally, a much elaborated version of this story was soon making the rounds of the entire Labourer Caste on Tamar, along with much crude speculation on the possible identity of this freeborn woman and the reason for Vlad's admiration of her.
I await further instructions.
G3
____
From: News Bulletin, Federated Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation
12 December 3062
JumpShip Disaster: 3,000+ feared dead
Tragedy struck earlier this morning when the P&O Lines jumpships _Star of India_ and _Caledonia_ were destroyed, along with all of their attached dropships. Over 3,000 people were believed to be aboard. Although the initial report blamed the disaster on a jump field intersection, persistent rumours claim that the ships were in fact attacked by "an unknown warship". An Admiralty spokesman has just issued a statement condemning these stories as baseless, in the following words: "I doubt that even the Capellans or Dracs would sink so low as to attack a JumpShip, in defiance of all the laws of civilized warfare, and the Clans are too far away. Pirates certainly don't have access to warships, so who else could have launched this attack? Little green aliens? Clan Wolverine?! No, it was just a tragic accident, mark my words."
The Ministry of Shipping has issued the following number for relatives and friends seeking information about passengers on the two ships: 030 555 4684
____
From: Director, FedCom Public Information Office.
17 December 3062
MOST SECRET
Dear Jack,
It was with great concern that I saw your 6 o'clock news bulletin about the pirate attacks on the unfortunate "Convoy of Death", as I believe your reporters have, somewhat melodramatically, named it. I realise that the initial reports about a K-F drive malfunction proved to be false, and this has led to misguided talk about a "government cover-up". Nothing could be further from the truth, as I trust you will make clear in your future bulletins.
It has now become apparent that the initial two ships to be destroyed, as well as the further tragic losses yesterday, were the work of particularly ruthless pirates, who are blowing the ships up after looting them rather than leave any possible witnesses. However, you must avoid any careless talk about "warships". It is obvious that pirates can only be using conventional armed dropships or fighters; implying anything else would only serve to alarm the public. The AFFC Navy will soon deal with these criminals, although it is unfortunate that no ships can currently be spared in light of the threatening actions of the Draconis Combine in the Dieron Sector. I trust I need not remind you of the First Princess' recent Public Safety Edict, which makes clear exactly what the media's role should be in these difficult times. In fact, I would much prefer you to downplay this episode in your future broadcasts. I am sure the public would prefer to hear about more cheerful and positive topics - such as, for example, which of our noteworthy citizens will be included in the upcoming New Year's Honours List...
Your friend,
Nadia
___
EPILOGUE
From: Sharilar Mori, Primus of ComStar
To: Katherine Steiner-Davion
1 February 3063
Your Highness,
It was with great sorrow that we learned of the recent outrages committed by pirates in the Periphery regions of the Federated Commonwealth. ComStar hears the people crying in pain, and our compassion goes out to them. We understand that your own navy is too weak and thinly spread to take active measures against these pirates.
However, with Blake's blessing we of ComStar can bring aid to those who suffer. Our own Navy, carefully preserved since the glorious days of the First Star League, stands ready to fight the enemies of Peace wherever they may be, and we are willing to help your people. I have therefore authorized my Precentor Martial to lead the ComStar fleet into the Federated Commonwealth, with full discretion to fight its enemies, both internal and external, wherever he may find them.
From the itinerary he gave me, I understand that his fleet will be arriving at a pirate point above New Avalon at approximately the time you receive this message.
The peace of Blake be with you.
Sharilar |
|
|
|
|
| Page :
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
