Chapter
Twenty-one - A Second Chance
Tharkad
Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
9 December 3051
Joshua floated into the briefing room with a feeling of dread. Seated at the table was the command staff of the Star Swords: Lisa, Erik, Daisaku, Juan, Mechlanthon, and the others Joshua entrusted to advise him. Unlike before, this was no longer a friendly venue.
Despite the willingness of the Wolverine exiles to back down from a formal challenge, it was obvious that the other officers in the Star Swords were unwilling to give Joshua as much free reign as before. They had pushed for Lisa to take over administrative duties of the Battlemech units under Joshua’s command. As such, she had reluctantly requested and received a promotion to reflect her new responsibilities. She was now a Leftenant General, equal in rank to Erik Iolair and only one step below Joshua instead of two.
It was still as close to a vote of no-confidence as the Swords could muster. Joshua floated in and took his seat at the head of the table, wondering if the triple challenge of his fellow Wolverines wasn’t a better fate than to be regulated into irrelevance. He preferred the straight-forward nature of what his friends had nearly done to what his Inner Sphere officers had proposed and implemented instead.
"We’ve arrived at Tharkad." reported Erik. "All is in order. We have begun shipping our damaged mechs to the surface for repairs."
Lisa took over. "Prince Hanse Davion has transmitted an edict through the military command of the AFFC. Anyone in the military born on New Belfast may apply to replace those personnel we have lost on Garrison." She paused. "The 50 or so second-line mechs we left behind for study and research on Skye have been shipped to here. They have not yet arrived, but will do so within a few days."
Joshua leaned forward. "What are our total losses on Garrison? We’ve had time to assess the mechs that escaped for reparability."
"Patterson’s company was destroyed completely.” Said Lisa. “Only two mechs of Mizar’s company survived. Jiwe’s Company lost 7 of its mechs during our withdrawal. Various other losses in other units. Thanks to the Clans’ ingenuity, all the mechs that walked onto a dropship are repairable. You can’t keep an Omnimech down, it seems. Total losses: 46 mechs, 9 aerospace fighters."
Juan whistled in disbelief. Joshua continued. "Personnel?"
"30 mechwarriors killed or missing." said Lisa. "14 aerospace pilots."
“Way too damn many,” complained a frustrated Kou.
Joshua ignored him. "What has been the response thus far of Prince Davion’s edict?"
"Difficult to assess at this time, General." said Juan. "It seems he made the declaration as soon as he learned of our defeat. There’s not been enough time for a complete response. Some personnel have already come to Tharkad to sign up however, mostly members of prominent families on New Belfast. Lisa’s oldest sister is among them."
"Miranda?" said Lisa with surprise.
Juan nodded. "Davion cleared their transfers without consulting us. I guess he presumed we’d approve them without reservation. It’s a clear violation of his decision to give us complete control of the unit."
“In these circumstances, I think that can be forgiven.” Said Joshua. “We need personnel, and New Belfast’s native sons and daughters belong here with us. We still have a job to do."
"Don’t presume for a second, General," retorted Kou, "that you can simply drag this unit all around the galaxy. Lisa has been promoted to keep a check on your more wild plans and ideas. You will not send us into another Garrison."
“That’s enough, Kou.” Said Erik, jumping to Joshua’s defense. “Joshua’s dined on enough ashes for what happened on Garrison. Joshua is human. He makes mistakes. We took what steps we could to ensure any future mistakes would not be so costly as Garrison, Lisa’s promotion was part of that, but do not presume that he does not have our full confidence.”
“He killed one of our own officers with deliberate intent and if it weren’t for the three of you, we’d have already stripped him of command and had him court-martialed.” Said Mike forcefully. “’Dining on ashes,’ as you put it, is hardly a fitting consequence for such a barbaric act.”
“You do not understand.” Said Mechlanthon. “Matthew Jiwe was one of the Not-Named, one of the exiles from New Vision. Had he lived to be taken prisoner, the Clans would have killed him anyway for that reason alone. And worse, they would have samples of his genetics and all the proof they would need to hunt us down like dogs. What Joshua did was barbaric, yes, but it was also necessary. Matthew was dead no matter what. Joshua spared him the torment of capture by the Clans and spared us the consequences of true discovery.”
“There is still the matter of 43 other dead for which Joshua seems to bear no consequence.” Said Kou.
“Did you think it would be bloodless? That it would be like some ancient film of the American West where the cowboys all sing and shoot guns out of each other’s hands? A battle where nobody died?” said Daisaku. “It was a good plan and very nearly worked. But there will be further loss of life before this is done. As commander of this unit, Joshua bears the burden of every death in action already.
“Units have fought against worst odds and survived.” Said Ryan. “We’ve been bloodied, but our losses could have been much worse.”
Kou threw up his hands in frustration. “You rationalize every mistake he’s made. The three of you stand as some impenetrable wall between Joshua and the justice he deserves.”
“That’s enough, Kou.” Said Lisa.
“And you even married him.” With that Kou stood up and stormed out of the room. Mike and several other native Inner Sphere officers followed.
Juan turned to Joshua. “If there can be said to be one major drawback to this unit, it is inexperience.” He raised his hand to ward off Joshua’s objection. “I know you are elite pilots, trained practically since birth in the art of modern warfare. Kou and the others born of the Inner Sphere aren’t so different. Very skilled, but they just don’t have quite as much mileage in a battlemech as the rest of you. Even so, this isn’t about skill at the machines we pilot. This is about the experience of death. The five of you have suffered loss before. You of New Vision watched your whole world die before you, friends, family, and loved ones with it. Lisa buried her first fiancĂ© and watched her world fall to invaders. Mike and Kou and the others have nothing like that in their experience. They’re lashing out in their grief.”
“But you share their objections.” Said Joshua flatly.
“But not their rationale for them. You are also young, Joshua. Garrison was a reckless plan. No, battles are not bloodless, but also they need not be needlessly bloody. You were too careless with the lives under your command, and while I cannot remove you from power while your friends and fellow officers stand with you, I will do what I can to reign you in. This is no game. It never was.”
Tharkad orbit
Donegal March,
9 December 3051
"Dropship Stellar Glory carrying reserve mechs and personnel has docked at Outer Ring Four." said the PA system across the ship.
Lisa MacLeod made her way to the airlock at Outer Ring Four. The dropship carrying the reserve mechs had docked, three days ahead of schedule. They had fled Garrison and returned to Tharkad, where their journey had begun six months before.
When Davion released his communiquĂ©, hundreds of mechwarriors applied immediately. While some had been approved immediately without the Swords consent, the rest had kept Lisa and the Swords battalion commanders cooped up since they’d arrived on Tharkad.
But Lisa had gotten a reprieve from their decision-making to return to the Star Sword and greet that handful. They were family of the important families on New Belfast: the DeTerres, the O’Brians, the Reynolds, and her own house, the MacLeods.
The airlock opened and several dozen F-C military personnel walked out. Many she recognized roughly, if only by family resemblance. Lisa painted a smile on her face and welcomed each in turn. Some had their families with them, being second sons and daughters of the barons and baronets of New Belfast. Older siblings prevented their rise to their fathers’ positions, and they made their own fortunes on other worlds separate of their family and noble blood. It was a somewhat unusual a sight to Lisa to see the families. Few, if any, of the Star Swords had their families with them, having left them behind on Clan Occupied Worlds out of necessity.
"Name please?" was the standard question Lisa asked each one as they came aboard.
A tall Latino woman walked up to Lisa next. "Hauptmann Miranda Sanchez-MacLeod, reporting for duty........sis."
Lisa looked up, trying to act surprised. Her elation made it convincing. "Miranda!"
"How’s my little sister?" said Miranda, scooping up Lisa into her arms. Miranda was big, roughly 6’1" in height, and easily picked up the 5’5" Lisa.
"I’m....I’m fine. You?"
"Requested the transfer the instant the edict came through. Prince Davion apparently expected that and had our papers..." she pointed to herself and then her husband. "...already filled out. All we had to do was sign our name and we were on the next ship to Tharkad."
"So how are you doing, Manuel?"
"Quite well." said the Latino man behind Miranda. At his feet was a young boy about four and he carried a baby, a girl, in his arms.
"I’ll be damned." said Lisa. "Another?"
Miranda nodded. "Born just four months ago. I don’t guess you’ve heard."
"No, we’ve been on combat duty for some time and I’ve not heard any word from Father. What’s her name?"
"Carlina."
"After your mother?"
"Yeah." said Miranda sadly.
"I have to finish up here. If you’ll wait, I’ll see you to your quarters personally."
"Thank you, sis. We’d like that."
Immediately after Miranda stepped aside, another figure took her place. Lisa was really surprised this time to see Donald O’Brian, Baron O’Brian’s second son; Daniel and
"Donald, why are you here?"
The man shrugged. He was a little bit older than Joshua and Lisa, about 25 or 26. "It seems proper with my lands in jeopardy, that I be a part of the unit that will one day free them."
Lisa frowned at his comment. It was clear there was little love between them. "It would take money and power to bring you back." she said with a tone of disdain.
Donald shrugged apathetically. "What of it? With
"I fear to disappoint you. Your father and older brother are still alive and well on New Belfast." It was a confident guess, but Lisa still relished rubbing the possibility in Donald’s face. “I saw them.” That was a partial lie and Lisa knew it. She had seen Duncan, but not his father.
“No matter. New
"Still as obnoxious as ever." commented Miranda. "I wish he had not been approved for the transfer, but Prince Davion gave it free and clear to all of noble birth who requested it."
"He was always bitter over Daniel.” Said Lisa. “In one sense, I don’t blame him. As he said,
“He left New Belfast a long time ago, but it’s surprising how deep those family rivalries go.” Said Miranda. "We’ve wasted enough time on him. Come, we have a lot of catching up to do. Now where are those quarters you promised to show us."
Lisa and her companions grabbed a hold of the tracked handles that would take them around the ship. As they floated down the hallway, Miranda began to speak again.
"How have you been doing since you lost Daniel? We’ve not spoken much since then."
Lisa’s eyes widened in shock. “You haven’t heard?”
“Our unit has also been on combat alert. Lyran Command keeps shuffling us around and ComStar’s had trouble keeping up. What did we miss?”
Lisa held up her left hand and let her wedding band flash in the lighting of the corridor.
“Is that what I think it is?” exclaimed Miranda in surprise.
Lisa smiled. “It is. Well, it seems we are exchanging surprises. You, a new daughter. Me, a husband.”
“Who?”
“Joshua Messer.”
“The Swords’ CO?”
Lisa nodded. “We met at NAMA. He was part of a special group of students there. I met him not long before Daniel was killed. He was a good friend through all that I went through after that.” It was a tale Lisa had grown used to telling. No sense in letting others know she’d fallen for Joshua well before Daniel died. “Friendship turned into something more. After his unit was beaten by the Clans, they withdrew to New Belfast. We found we still felt the same way. One thing led to another and…”
“So this unit’s CO is no older than you?”
“Younger actually. Joshua is two years my junior.”
“He’s 21 and in command of a full regiment?” Miranda whistled. “That’s pretty remarkable.”
“He’s an immensely talented individual. Prince Davion trusted him and in his gifts to give him the Swords.”
“How’s he taking his first major defeat?” asked Miranda. “Not that other units, most prestigious units haven’t suffered terrible losses to the Clans also. But none of them are commanded by someone the age of my little sister.”
“It’s been hard on him.” Said Lisa honestly. “Hard on all of us.”
“Well, the Sanchez family is here to do our part. I look forward to meeting him.
Tharkad
Donegal March, Federated Commonwealth
12 December 3051
"Prince Davion has really come through for us." said Juan, handing over a stack of papers to Joshua. "His willingness to allow all natives of New Belfast in the AFFC to join our ranks has allowed us to refill the troop losses we suffered on Garrison very quickly. With the mechs we left behind on Skye already waiting for us here on Tharkad, we can be back in the fight in record time. No later than the first of the year, I would guess."
"My assessment as well, but I’m sure we’re all concerned about morale. Your comments about our youth and inexperience ring true for much of this unit. Everyone is still reeling from Garrison."
"In one sense, it wasn’t a defeat. We got away. The Clans had not meant for that to happen."
“That seems a strange comment from a man who just a few days ago called the plan reckless.”
“It was, but it did do some of what we set out to do. We did lure them in and we did give them quite a pounding.”
“Just not enough of one.” Said Joshua, looking down at some of the reports before him. “Already, a task force of Clan ships is assembling at Garrison for the next wave. Rumor has it that Donegal will be targeted next."
"That’ll put them a jump from Tharkad.” Said Juan with a worried tone. “Any guesses on how fast can the AFFC reinforce the Traders’ World?"
"Beginning of the year, if I have anything to say about it."
"You intend for us to be there?"
"The AFFC could send the Royal Guards to Donegal, but that would leave Tharkad defenseless. If the Royal Guards failed at Donegal, the capital would be easy pickings for the Clans. We’re the only other unit ready to deploy that’s within range."
“Another reckless move?”
“Not this time. This will be more akin to New Belfast than Garrison. We’re moving to reinforce those units already on Donegal. The Clans will expect only the 24th Guard, a green unit, but not the Star Swords also. With luck, they’ll underbid and we’ll stop them cold.”
“Let’s hope it goes better than New Belfast did.”
“Yes, let’s. Anything else while you are here?”
"Just one thing." said Juan calmly. "On the top of that pile of transfers you will find one from an associate of mine from DMI. He has a personal stake in us and our success, and he’s applied for temporary duty."
“Another New Belfast native or someone else?”
“No, he’s not from New Belfast. But…his brother served there. Given what we know about Pryde’s allies, he might prove helpful.”
Joshua looked at Juan suspiciously. "His name?"
"Richard O’Malley.”
Joshua leaned back, stone-faced. He was unsure of what to say.
"He doesn’t yet know, Joshua.”
“Then why is he here?”
“Vengeance, I would say.”
“If he seeks revenge against the Clans for the supposed death of his brother, we will find no help from him to destroy that same brother.”
“We don’t know that for sure. Richard is also unaware of what Robert’s become. I read the reports from your scouting mission on New Belfast. I read about the things he did as Planetary Governor. I suspect Richard will be as shocked as any of us to learn what the Clans have turned Robert into.”
“His brother also raped my wife. The Clans didn’t make him do that.” said Joshua. "I’m not too keen myself on having an O’Malley in my ranks for that reason alone."
“You judge him unfairly. Richard is not his brother. He’s a good fighter, one of the best DMI has ever produced. He’s a qualified saboteur, counter-intel training, expert mechwarrior. His record is impeccable. He’s a model officer, highly loyal to the
"I..." Joshua began, about to repeat his objection.
"You owe me, Joshua." snapped Juan forcefully. "Your reckless plan cost me the most of all your commanders, nearly my entire unit. Second battalion was nearly wiped out. Hell, now Lisa’s pulled Koren out and put him under Daisaku’s command. All that’s left me is nothing but untested soldiers in the new 4th Battalion. I need a qualified officer to help me build 4th up to the quality 2nd had before you let them be destroyed. Richard could be that officer."
"Are you finished, Kommandant?"
"No, sir, I don’t believe I am.” Said Juan forcefully. He was clearly becoming more animated and angry. “You want to talk about morale and lack thereof? Your wife’s proposals for the reorganization of the Swords seem to lay the blame on 2nd Battalion and its soldiers for the failure at Rauros. Transferring Mike and the only intact company left to us only heightens that. You avoided court-martial thanks to the loyalty of your fellow New Visioners, but the failures of Garrison are on your head, General. Don’t you dare allow your wife to pin the blame elsewhere!”
Joshua looked at him dispassionately. “I did not know you felt that strongly about Koren Company’s transfer. Your reading of the situation is a valid one. Lisa should have been more mindful of your concerns.”
“She should or you should?” said Juan with a subtle accusation.
“You pushed for her promotion as a check on me. If you were so concerned about her loyalty me as my wife that you would now accuse her of being my puppet, you should have chosen another officer. Regardless of what you think, Lisa has had free reign to rebuild the Swords. I have had no input in her choices. She would not allow it.”
“Then reverse Lisa’s decision or give me O’Malley.”
“Lisa put you in charge of 4th battalion for a reason. She has utmost confidence in your abilities to rebuild the survivors of 2nd battalion with the new recruits. You put me in an awkward position by this request, Juan. I can approve his transfer into the unit, but the final choice as to where he serves lies with her. When she finds out…”
“You are still overall commander of this unit. I’ve given you my objections to Lisa’s decisions. If you give me O’Malley, Lisa cannot object.”
“By regulations, no. But you don’t sleep with her.” Joshua looked over the transfer document for Richard. “You give me a devil’s choice and you know it.”
“Your personal problems, sir, are not my concern. My concern is the troops under my command. Richard can help me. That’s all that matters to me.”
“You seem very convinced, but you also say that he doesn’t yet know the full story of his brother. He needs to…all of it. He may find himself a lot less interested in signing on with a unit that will more than likely kill his brother before all this is done, regardless of what you may want.”
“After he learns what we know, he may want to do the deed himself.”
“Then we will know the nature of this man. I would like to talk to him.”
"He’s waiting outside."
"I suspected you were going to tell me that." said Joshua. "I will pull no punches, Juan. If he doesn’t know, somehow, what kind of man Robert is, he will in a minute. Let him in."
Juan opened the door and motioned to the man in the hallway. Richard O’Malley was taller and leaner than his brother. He was obviously much more physically fit that Robert, although Joshua suspected that after Jade Falcon training that was no longer the case. His hair was red like his brother and he wore the uniform of the Northwind Highlanders.
"Captain Richard O’Malley. Company commander, 2nd Kearny Highlanders. DMI liaison to the Northwind Highlanders." said Richard, saluting. Joshua returned the salute.
"At ease, Captain. Juan tells me you want a piece of the Jade Falcons."
"Yes, sir. My brother fought and died on New Belfast against them."
“I knew your brother. I served with him briefly when I was on New Belfast.” Said Joshua. “Please sit down. You are not going to like what I am about to tell you.”
"Did he have problems?" said Richard bluntly as he took his seat. "With women?"
Joshua was surprised at Richard’s candidness. "As a matter of fact…”
“He’s not always been the most stable of individuals. He fled Northwind after some legal trouble; He was a bit of an embarrassment to our family. But he was my brother, even with his troubles. When I heard he was killed, I wanted revenge.”
“He’s not dead.” Said Joshua bluntly.
“What?”
“Joshua is right.” Said Juan. “Your brother did not die on New Belfast. We received reports. He apparently cut some sort of deal with them and he was appointed as military governor of New Belfast during the year of peace.”
“He…”
“…not only survived, but became a collaborator with the enemy, yes.” Said Joshua. “There’s more. Trouble with women, you say. Well, that is a bit of an understatement. Not only did he rape the daughter of New Belfast’s ruling Duke, the woman who became my wife before the Clans ever showed up,” Joshua emphasized the point, “but he also decided to have free reign among the populace he governed in their name. We have numerous reports of atrocities that he committed by his own hand. Your brother is a mass rapist and murderer. He’s a war criminal and a monster, plain and simple.”
"The Jade Falcons, no doubt, encouraged his madness." said Richard with regret in his voice. "General, a great crime has been done here, both to the people of the
“He is your brother.” Repeated Joshua. “If it comes down to the two of you, can you do what is necessary? Because it may come to that.”
“My brother…my real brother is already dead. Killing the monster he has become? That I will not hesitate to do.”
Joshua nodded, reaching for a pen. "God willing, I will kill Robert O'Malley. By accepting this transfer, you pledge yourself to help me in that cause. Is that perfectly clear to you?"
“It is.”
“Then welcome to the Star Swords.”
Tharkad orbit
Donegal March,
14 December 3051
"Shuttle Tiberius, you are cleared to dock at Bay Door Four." said the Star Sword’s helmsman.
Mechlanthon grumbled. "I fail to see the importance of this visit. We have not the time to play coy with dignitaries."
"It will take us another few days to ship our reserve mechs up from the surface. What else do you suggest we do?" replied Joshua with mild annoyance.
Lisa marched onto the bridge, wearing her dress uniform. "The Archon’s shuttle has just docked." Her tone was cold and business-like. She was, as anticipated, very unhappy with her husband over Richard’s transfer.
Joshua stood up. "Mechlanthon, the bridge is yours."
"Very well, General." said Mechlanthon, taking the conn chair. Joshua and Lisa left the bridge and headed for the shuttle bay.
Lisa led the way. Joshua kept quiet, following behind her. The announcement about Richard O’Malley’s appointment to 4th Battalion had infuriated her. They had argued long and even though a few days had passed, not everything had smoothed over between them.
They stopped at the shuttle bay. Joshua floated over beside Lisa. Erik was already present and in dress uniform. Erik looked at Joshua and Lisa, and then turned away. Joshua knew his friends had noticed Lisa’s anger.
The door to the airlock opened and out stepped a stately middle-aged woman of incredible beauty. It was Archon Melissa Steiner, Prince Davion’s wife. "Permission to come aboard, General." She said. Behind her was a short young man in an F-C Davion uniform. It was Victor Davion, the heir-apparent. Joshua had not seen him in some time, not since New Avalon.
"Permission granted, your Highness."
"Pleased to meet you, General. This is my son, Victor."
"Hello, Victor." said Joshua with a smile. Melissa looked at him with surprise.
"We’ve met, Mother." explained Victor. "But it has been some time." Victor looked about. "Nice ship. I’m pleased to be aboard.
A third persona walked on board the Star Sword. Joshua and his officers all saluted.
"It has been a while, General Messer."
"Welcome aboard, Marshall Hasek-Davion."
A fourth and final visitor walked aboard, a girl of about 18. She had reddish-blond hair and the same grey-blue eyes of Archon Melissa.
"This is my sister, Katherine." said Victor.
"Well, the more the merrier." said Joshua with a grin.
Joshua proceeded to introduce his officers, starting with Lisa. Victor and his mother were pleasant to all of them, making this inspection less of a chore than Joshua had expected.
With all the formality completed, Lisa proceeded to give Archon Melissa a tour of the ship. Marshall Hasek- Davion and Victor took Joshua and Erik to a briefing room.
Marshall Hasek-Davion took a seat at the head of the table. "My condolences on the deaths of your officers and personnel on Garrison, General. It was a terrible tragedy to lose so many good men.
"Unfortunately, your plan to halt the Jade Falcon advance has failed. Times are growing more desperate." Marshall Davion turned. "As we speak, the Nova Cat and Smoke Jaguar Clans are in process of assaulting the Combine capital world of Luthien."
"Impossible!" said Joshua in shock.
“I wish it were, but the Clans are even bolder now than they were before the year of peace. The Jade Falcons will no doubt begin their assault on Tharkad within the next two months, unless we stop them."
"They were gunning for us on Garrison. They threw a whole galaxy at us." said Erik.
"At the same time as the strike on Garrison, two other worlds were being taken. They are now within striking distance of Donegal. But we’ve become suspicious of something and we’ve formulated a risky plan. The Jade Falcons have spread themselves incredibly thin in taking so many of our worlds. We currently have 9 regiments standing by to attempt to recapture some of those worlds."
"The Jade Falcon offense still has to be stopped." said Joshua. “They’re unlikely to pause to backtrack when they’re this close to Tharkad. It’s too valuable a target to not knock out if they can.”
"Agreed. That’s where you come in."
“You knew we were planning to reinforce Donegal?”
“No, but my uncle and I know you well enough to guess. Part of the reason why we allow you your independence is because we know you’ll anticipate whatever orders we might give you. On that note, I’ve arranged for a large amount of repair supplies to be brought aboard with your reserve mechs, as well as replacement pilots. The Jade Falcons are going to suspect you to be weak and under strength, if they suspect your presence at all. You are going to be at full strength when you face them next."
"As you defend against the Falcon forward advance, the nine regiments we have now will launch a coordinated assault on the Jade Falcon Occupation Zone. We’re calling it Operation: Counterstrike."
"After Donegal, then what?" said Joshua. “For us, that is.”
“That’ll be your call, as always.”
"You’ll need us. The Clan front-line units are going to be somewhere within that occupation zone.
"We’re not working with Succession War technology anymore, Joshua." said Victor. "The nine regiments we have slated for this assault consist of either field or factory refits using previously lost Star League technology. Technology like what you had on your homeworld, which we can now produce in prodigious quantities and are doing so. The Clan’s technological edge is narrowing rapidly."
"You’ll not make up two and a half centuries of weapon development in just a few short months. The Clan machines are still superior." said Joshua.
“No doubt. But they’ve lost a lot of their strategic advantages. We’ve beaten them: Wolcott, Twycross twice now, God willing soon on Luthien and Donegal also. We’ve shifted units into their path, powerful experienced front-line regiments, not the backwater militias they encountered when they first struck last year. The Clans no longer shock and surprise us as they once did. The tide is turning. We can win.”
“Add the Swords to your later waves.” Suggested Joshua to Marshall Hasek-Davion. “Give us targets to hit along with your other units. Use us to reinforce your counter-assault forces. And add another planet to your list of targets.”
“New
“Oh, yes.”
Morgan Hasek-Davion nodded. "It’s pretty deep into enemy territory now, but I’ll take your suggestions under advisement. Ten regiments for Operation: Counterstrike is better than nine. I want to halt this operation by the end of April and dig in, regardless of whether we’ve fully completed our objectives or not. The last thing we need to do is make the same mistake the Jade Falcons have by spreading ourselves too thin."
“Deep behind enemy lines or not, the Star Swords will be on New Belfast by April. I promise you that.”
"So, how did it go?"
"It went well." said Lisa flatly. "They wished they could stay longer."
"That would have been nice." Said Joshua, “but we have our duties. A lot to prepare for.”
“Oh?” asked Lisa, curious. “Like what?”
“Donegal, first off.”
“In the path of danger so soon?”
“That sort of thing can’t be helped. The Clans are moving fast, chewing through lightly defended worlds between here and their normal invasion corridor. They mean to knock out the Lyran military command center, leaving the LCAF leaderless and directionless so they continue their advance towards Terra largely unimpeded.”
“Time is against us then?” To that, Joshua nodded.
“And after Donegal? If we stop them cold, as you no doubt intend, then what?”
“We join what Marshall Hasek-Davion is calling Operation: Counterstrike. Our ultimate destination is New Belfast.”
Joshua expected Lisa to be pleased at that news, but much to his surprise, she frowned. “This isn’t a game anymore, Joshua. I appreciate the gesture, but this is more of the same impulsiveness that got Isaac and Matthew killed. Don’t do this. Not for me.”
“It’s not just for you. On board this ship are 300 men and women who have called that planet home at one time or another. We’ve just received a humiliating and costly defeat at the hands of the Falcons. What else would you have me offer to them that will renew their morale and motivate them to fight hard enough to win?”
“Is that your real reason or just the one you use to rationalize your thinking?”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” said Joshua defensively. “Do you not take me at my word anymore?”
“Joshua, don’t get angry. We’ve had enough fights lately. I’m tired of it. I just worry about you.” Said Lisa softening.
Joshua’s flash of anger melted away. “We are left with a choice, Lisa. Juan spoke the truth in the briefing the other day. Most of us have had little experience with death. We are young. We are inexperienced. We’ve never been beaten before. Not like this.”
Joshua continued, becoming more animated. “Thus the choice before us is simple. We can give up; say the price is too high. We can point the finger, lay the blame. Say it was all my fault for being reckless. Throw me out of command, perhaps even kill me if need be, but where does all that get us? Nowhere. It’s surrender. It’s saying the Clans can’t be beaten. But we know they can. We have the skill. We have the strength. But how to use it? How to motivate our troops to use it? How do I make them forget what has happened before and get them to focus on the task before us? The answer again is simple. I give them a goal worth fighting for: their home.”
“The troops don’t trust you anymore, Joshua. They hear that and they’ll say it’s all because of me. General Messer wants all of us to bleed so he can give a pretty gift to his wife.”
“Then it’s past time they discovered how willing I am to bleed with them, to bleed for them.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” said Lisa with concern in her voice.
“There have been a lot of accusations leveled against me. I got Isaac killed. I murdered Matthew. I broke the Wolverine edicts. I cost the Swords irreplaceable machines and personnel. All true. Every accusation is true. We all know it. I was reckless. I did throw caution into the wind, and others paid the price for it. I bought into this ideal, this dream, this vision of who we were meant to be. The last survivors of a lost colony struggling valiantly against the hordes of evil who threaten humanity. I let that view of things blind me. I had no idea what it would cost us. None whatsoever. I was a fool.” Joshua’s face hardened. “I turned this unit into a vehicle for my own private vendettas. Against Pryde, against O’Malley, and against the Clans as a whole. No more. We fight for all the things we should fight for: for home, and family, for our future and the future of others. Those are things worth dying for.”
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