Aboard the Dire Wolf
Nikolai stared with fascination as his oldest friend in the galaxy broke a 20 year cover to engage the Ilkhan directly. His hand covered his mouth and more than once he felt his jaw drop as Ivan started to tell his story. The assembled Khans of the clans (and the representatives of the rest of the Invaders in the field) sat with rapt attention as the old warrior began to spin his tale. He saw Anastasius Focht slip into the back of the chamber as the story began.
“The Inner Sphere powers are gathering their best and their brightest to devise a military strategy to deal with all of you. The location of this meeting is a closely guarded secret, but my assets are close to finding its location. The most important point to consider for this is that the Inner Sphere Lords are going to put aside centuries of distrust and hatred to deal with an outside threat that they perceive the clans to be.” Ivan said with a firm timber to his deep voice.
“What does that mean in practical terms for us?” The Ilkhan said slowly.
“By this time next year, The garrisons on Inner Sphere worlds will be reinforced. The Free Worlds League, The Capellan Confederation, and the Federated Suns half of the Federated commonwealth are stripping their garrisons with each, and their borders with the nations you’ve invaded. They are putting their trust in each other for the first time in history to deal a telling blow to the clans. If you are going to succeed at the Invasion, you will have to accelerate your timetable. The Inner Sphere is raising its walls, and with the rediscovery of Star League era technology, will begin mass producing military units to replace losses.”
The gasps filtered throughout the room. They had long held such beliefs in private places, but Ivan’s revelation fanned those fears.
“How?”
“The Inner Sphere is full of worlds that can be turned to industry. They have not been idle during our absence, and ancient facilities are being restored to production.”
“We still have the best warriors in the Galaxy, this will make our victories that much more glorious.” The Ilkhan roared.
“Before our ancestors had left Terra, on the Pacific Island of Japan, there existed a warrior culture, the samurai that are the modern inspiration for the Warriors your Smoke Jaguars are fighting in the Draconis Combine.”
“What is your point, Galaxy Commander?”
“They encountered another civilization that fought warfare as a massed horde. A brave warrior would ride out, announce his name and challenge any man to meet him on the field.”
“They sound like true warriors, for freebirths.”
“And they were promptly killed by a massed volley of arrow fire. The horde did not care about honor, or glory. They wanted the enemy dead, and put them into their graves. If you allow this circumstance to unfold, the Inner Sphere will roll over the Invaders in a grand wave, and nothing you can do will stop them.”
“You are the architect of this invasion, how do you suggest we prevent this?” The Ilkhan said slowly.
“Step up your attacks. The timeline will have to be sped up if we are to stop the Inner Sphere from amassing their forces.”
The Ilkhan stood slowly, studying the much older warrior through the holographic display. “I would like you here, with us. You are one of the most important assets to the clans in this century. You need to be home, with your own people. You have wandered the wastelands of the Inner Sphere for far too long.”
“I will make best possible speed to the Occupation Zones, but i fear my travel plans have been delayed.”
“By what?”
“The Jade Falcons have been making it very difficult for me to secure some of my assets.”
“Assets?” The Ilkhan stared at him with confusion.
“The intelligence gathering apparatus i have used for the Inner Sphere for the last fifty years is a complex instrument with many parts and people who play roles in that instrument. The Falcons have made it virtually impossible to acquire the assets i have on their worlds.”
“Is this true?” the Ilkhan turned his attention to the Star Colonel who was standing in for Khan Critchell.
“I have no idea, Sir, but i can make inquiries.”
“Find the answers quickly. I would like to know more about the operation the Goliath Scorpions have been running for the last fifty years.” The Ilkhan’s eyes narrowed as he turned his attention to the two Khans.
“Leo Showers, do not judge them too harshly. They had not been decanted when i left on my mission alongside the Dragoons. I have not met either of my Khans in the flesh. I will send several documents to you to give you a picture of how our operations have been working and a full briefing of everything i have as of last week.”
“Very good Ivan Kirov. I will see you soon, quiaff?”
“Aff, as soon as possible.”
The holoprojector feed cut out and the room turned into a flurry of sharp conversations and order was starting to break down.
Nikolai couldn’t believe what he had just heard. Ivan had lied to the Ilkhan to his face. His universe had just spun out of control.
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