KnightofTempest
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Interlude: Meanwhile, on Luthien
🕑 Added 2024-12-27 18:29:07 +0000 UTCIn Imperial City, on the continent of Hokkaidō, in the Planet of Luthien, the Capital of the Draconis Combine, sat the Imperial Palace. It was the heart of Power for the Draconis Combine, where the Coordinator Resided. The facade was traditional, embodying an ancient Japanese Castle Complex from Old Terra. However, appearances could be deceiving, as the white stucco and red lacquer of the primary gate complex hid ferrocrete and other modern materials. The twin Shisa guarding the gates appeared to be jade but actually camouflaged a number of sensors linked to a guardroom equipped with the best technology the Combine had to offer.
It spoke to the Paranoia inherent within the Kurita Family, healthy as it was, that the traditional facade hid defensive structures and sensors to warn against attackers. As Theodore Kurita, Heir to the Coordinator, mounted the steps of the gate complex, he knew the guards likewise were equipped with nothing less than the deadliest gear that the Combine could produce, though they may be dressed up in the armor of old-style Samurai, it was all pomp and ceremony. A way to show the magnificence of the Dragon to save face in front of supplicants, all without compromising effectiveness. That was the goal that his father, the Coordinator, Takashi Kurita had in mind, at any rate.
Unfortunately, recent events had proven that the effectiveness of their efforts were indeed being compromised. Compromised from within at the highest levels, all because his father was too inflexible and could not adapt his tactics to the changing circumstances. After all, Assassination and intimidation had worked for them for centuries. Why stop using what had worked so well in the past? Never mind that their current primary adversary had proven that such tactics were in desperate need of updating. No, he had woken the Dragon and roused him to ire, and that meant all attempts at subtlety needed to be thrown out the window.
It was almost enough to make Theodore cry out in frustration at his father's ineptitude. However, he held himself back as doing so would only allow suspicion to fall on his shoulders. House Kurita may not be as fond of internal purges as House Liao, but that did not mean that such things never happened. Theodore had already fallen out of favor with his father once and been forced to claw his way back into the halls of power. Losing control of his emotions in public would only ever result in a second soft exile or worse, and that would be disastrous for both House Kurita and the Draconis Combine. After all, his father's ordering of a DEST Strike Team to assassinate the Poniatowski proved that Takashi was too prone to missteps when his blood was up.
As Theodore was waved through the Gate Complex and made his way through the Red Brick Courtyard toward the Throne Room, he reflected that it wasn't just his father's fault. Subhash Indrahar also bore some of the blame. It was his advice that the Coordinator listened to most frequently, after all. Two old men who did not fit within the current era were steering the ship of state, and if Theodore did nothing, then they would surely continue to steer it on course to disaster. Today was not for action, however. Instead, it was for diplomacy. Theodore would entreat his father to back off on the throttle before he and Subhash steered the ship of state onto the jagged rocks ahead.
Only if his father did not listen would further action be warranted. Not that Theodore truly had a concrete plan for how to proceed in that event. Oh certainly he had a concept of a plan, a palace coup that would install him as regent while his father recovered from the no-doubt temporary bout of madness he had suffered, but Theodore was a long way from having the support for something of that magnitude. He decided he would bide his time in the event that his father refused to listen, gather support, and marshal his resources. He would then wait for his opportunity to seize the helm, to continue his previous metaphor. Nodding at the two guards posted to the entrance to the Throne Room, Theodore waited for the massive doors to open before heading inside.
The Throne Room of the Imperial Palace was massive. A grand hall decorated with silk tapestries, plush carpets, and other decorations. On the ceiling, a massive mural of settled space was etched in gold, while the jade and gold shape of the Coordinator's Throne dominated the North end of the Hall. There were no other seats in the Throne Room by design, forcing courtiers to kneel on the carpets placed over the marble floor, and thus be below the Coordinator at all times. Theodore, like most experienced Courtiers, would stand through Court Sessions. It was easier on the knees, after all. As he entered, however, Theodore noticed that the only occupants at the moment were his father, Coordinator Takashi, and Subhash Indrahar. That was perfect, it meant there would be no other witnesses to challenge his loyalty.
"Father, Lord Indrahar." Nodded Theodore.
"What news, my son? Has the Comte de Rochefort managed to take the nomination on Rasalhague?" Questioned Takashi.
"Quite the opposite. Because of the impatience shown by the ISF, we have lost the Election. I am surprised that Lord Indrahar did not mention this to you." Frowned Theodore.
"Subhash? What is my son talking about?" Queried Takashi.
"I was about to mention it to you when Theodore Arrived. The Poniatowski Boy seems to have slain the DEST team sent after him and utilized the attempt to win the election." Informed Subhash, smile dimmed but still present.
"Just as I predicted! Did I not warn you off using the usual methods? Why would you not listen to my advice?" Asked Theodore.
"Perhaps you are unaware of how highly trained the DEST teams are? If any could have accomplished this mission, it would have been our Shinobi." Pointed out Subhash, his trademark smile still on his face, though only barely.
"That does not explain why the order was given in the first place. I was told I would have complete operational control over our efforts to place a suitable puppet on the Throne of Rasalhague. Was I lied to?" Demanded Theodore.
"Enough! I did what was best for the Combine, what has always worked in years past. Do not presume to lecture me, Boy. Son or no, you are not the Dragon yet!" Warned Takashi.
"Perhaps Young Theodore is simply tired? I cannot imagine that worrying over the issue of Rasalhague has left time for much rest?" Questioned Subhash, smile back to full intensity.
"Father, please. Next time a task calls for subtlety, allow my methods to play out fully before listening to Lord Indrahar's urging." Pleaded Theodore.
"Your methods were stalled, and in second place, no less. Your August Father wanted a more expedient solution, I merely did as he bid, as we all must." Insisted Subhash, his smile still bright on his face.
"I had other stratagems yet to play, had you but given me a chance to do so." Protested Theodore.
"It matters little if Rasalhague will be our enemy in future wars. We have new allies of our own and have a few prototype designs for things that ought to prove equalizers on the battlefield. When the Dragon next takes flight, there will be no need for subtlety. We will simply destroy our opposition and take our rightful due by force." Predicted Takashi.
"What? What are you talking about? The Mariks and Liaos?" Queried Theodore.
"Not simply them." Grinned Subhash.
"Then who?" Asked Theodore.
"Frederick Steiner. Anton Marik has secured his participation in the next war on our side." Answered Subhash with a smile.
"He has already proven his capabilities as a general with the conquest of the Circinius Federation. He has plans to also move on to the Illyrian Palatinate and Lothian League. That is at least twenty-one worlds, right on the Lyran's Left Flank." Explained Subhash, smile everpresent.
"Indeed. Marik has promised to aid him in developing those worlds as well. The Poniatowski Boy is not the only one who can play Periphery Warlord." Huffed Takashi.
"And you intend to place him on the Lyran Throne in exchange for his aid in the next war? Will that even work?" Questioned Theodore.
"More than you might think. Frederick has a number of allies in the Lyran's Federation of Skye who would back him in exchange for the Independence of Skye. The Lyrans will be attacked from without and within." Nodded Subhash, still smiling.
"The Steiners will destroy themselves even as we assail them." Intoned Takashi.
"The Lyrans have formidable war machines thanks to the Poniatowski Boy. How can you be sure that their internal conflict will translate to our victory?" Queried Theodore.
"Our joint research program is making headway on reverse-engineering some of the technologies we have acquired. This includes the Robinson-class hulk we had captured from the Davions years ago and parts of the Poniatowski Boy's Rifleman Two Wreckage." Smirked Subhash.
"Think of it, WarShips of our own, plus advanced Battlemechs. How can the Lyrans or Rasalhague stand against such weapons?" Asked Takashi.
"If it is as you say, then I am certain the war will be a success. However, we need to rebuild our forces still. Until such time as we are prepared for war, I must insist on a more subtle approach." Demanded Theodore.
"I will take your advice under consideration. You may leave us, now." Nodded Takashi.
"Come, I shall walk you out." Smiled Subhash.
That was as final a dismissal as was possible to have, outside of execution. Not that his father was opposed to such dismissals judging by how he utilized some of the Palace Gardens. However, for Theodore, it seemed that today was not to be that final day. Not for him. As Subhash, ever-smiling, walked him to the door of the Throne Room, Theodore couldn't help but think that his father may not actually listen to his advice, even if his words claimed he would. He had known Subhash much longer than Theodore had been alive, after all. He had a sinking feeling that the next few steps his father made would be guided more by the Smiling Spymaster than his own words.
Subhash himself was a Mystery to Theodore. The perpetually smiling spymaster was one of those who should have known better than to simply try using a Katana when a Scalpel was needed. He certainly was not a fool, or full of the same sort of bluster and machismo that his father was. However, by all appearances, Subhash Indrahar was the architect of the attempt to assassinate the Poniatowski Boy by the DEST Strike Team. He certainly had enough confidence in his Shinobi to have been the mastermind, even if it was on his father's orders. Why he would try something with such a large chance of backfiring, Theodore couldn't say, but it proved that Subhash's advice was not what the Combine or the Coordinator needed anymore.
As he left the Imperial Palace, Theodore Kurita resigned himself to his fate. Though he would never say so openly in the Imperial Palace, for fear of the constant guards, cameras, and sensors, he would most likely have to step in at some point before his father listened to Subhash Indrahar about the wrong thing and wrecked the ship of state. He would have to begin gathering allies and resources for that eventuality before disaster struck in such a way that the Combine could not recover. It was something that most in the Imperial Court wouldn't dare try. He was not just any Courtier, however, he was Theodore Kurita, the Future Coordinator of the Draconis Combine. And if he wanted there to be a Combine for him to be Coordinator of, he would have to do the unthinkable.
He would have to try a Palace Coup. . .
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AN: All right, so here we have the Combine's reaction to how things played out with the election on Rasalhague. Takashi is being enabled by the moves made by the Tristar Alliance and advice from Subhash Indrahar to double down on his more blunt tactics in the future. Meanwhile, Theodore correctly realizes that such a thing will lead to disaster sooner or later and is prepping to try a palace coup at some point to step in before it's too late.
At any rate, the next chapter will have us back with Jozef for a check-in with his Council to see how things have been going while he was on Rasalhague.
Stay tuned. . .
Comments
Lorn von Darkmoor
Would be nice to see a Rasalhague that kicks ass lol... maybe replace the Combine?
