Kingdom Building (Carving Out a Nation During the Age of War) A Battletech AU

[MarkWarrior]

Date: February 5, 2475
Location: Mallory's World, Federated Suns

"Thank you for being willing to come and meet with me," Duke Mallory nodded at the other two planetary rulers. "I know what risks you must have taken, so I will ensure that it is worth the price that must have been paid."

"Speak," Duchess Alexandra David glared. "We have given the Coordinator's usual eyes something else to see, but we do not possess the time in which to dally."

"Agreed," Duke Roger Mara nodded, his thin frame at odds with his deep voice.

"For too long have we been victims of either the Federated Suns or the Draconis Combine's strikes across the borders," Duke Alton Mallory began. "I know that in the past decade alone, I have dealt with strikes that brought serious harm to my world and people from the Draconis Combine, with no reprisal or even a word of support from New Avalon. I know the same has happened to you and yours. But with the Coordinator ignoring even the most basic of requests to sustain further strikes into the Lyran Commonwealth."

"You are correct that we have not been given support by the coordinator much of late," Duke Mara crossed his arms defensively. "But we are loyal to the Draconis Combine."

"Why would we declare for you?" Duchess David glared. "What benefit would it be to us to abandon our loyalties? And why would you choose to trust us afterwards if we did? Knowing that we can be bought, should it be valuable enough?"

"I am tired of being taxed and seeing no benefit," Duke Mallory replied. "My people suffer, but see no relief. Our food goes out, but we are paid little in return. I do not offer this out of spite, but out of what I believe is necessity. We are neighbors, regardless of what side we have been on in the past; we know how we are treated. First, we are taken by one nation, and then, in the next few years, we are taken by another. Again and again, this cycle repeats itself. I say enough!" The Federated Suns duke slammed his clenched fist on the table. "I do not say we should abandon our nations, but declare our independence. We must forge our own path into the future. You ask what benefits you would gain?" Mallory locked eyes with Duchess David. "You would gain your liberty. You would gain the ability to do as you wish with your fuel industry. I know you have long sought to establish your own factories for war machines; you could do as you wish. You would no longer have to answer to New Samarkand. As for you, Duke Mara. Long, have your harvests been seized by wandering Samurai pretending at honor as they strike further into the Federated Suns. Often leaving your people starving and barely able to feed themselves. For the short term, I know that you have suffered a lack of harvest. So, I will personally see to it that as many tons of food as I can provide now will go with you to your home. Regardless of whether you accept or not, I will hold to that."

"And what about for the long term?" the other Duke asked. "What will we do when the First Prince and Coordinator have had enough of our rebellion and come to crush us beneath the First Sword of Light or Davion Heavy Guards? I do not possess the forces to repel them. What shall you do?"

"I paid a visit to Jerricho Industries five years ago," Duke Mallory smirked. "There are times when corruption benefits the righteous. I was able to procure the plans and aid to begin construction of battlemech factories. Since then, Fortner Industries, as well as several other industrialmech producers, have converted portions of their factories to produce war material. With heavy investment from my personal coffers, we began seeing results from that last year."

"And you think a quaint few battlemech factories will allow you to stand against the might of the Combine and the Federated Suns?" Duchess David laughed. "You are mad."

"I may be mad," Duke Mallory replied. "But I desire more than to simply be a pawn in this game that is played among the nations. Regardless of whether the two of you join in alliance with me, I am set on this course."

"I will enjoy the day that your people find out what you have done," Duke Mara shook his head. "You will face rebellion by the end of the week."

"You think I was the one who first set us along this course?" Mallory chuckled. "No, my people had made up their minds long before I had. They were simply waiting for me to arrive at the same conclusion as them. The people have spoken, and I will lead them as they desire. Whether it is to folly or greatness, History will tell."

The room was silent for what felt like an eternity before the Duke of Mara finally spoke again.

"My world thanks you for your assistance," He inclined his head. "But I cannot in good conscience put my people in danger with this endeavor. But we will remember those who came to us in our time of need, and will be available to assist when this comes crashing down around you."

With that, the duke stood and left the room. Leaving Duchess David and Duke Mallory alone.

Where she had once had a fully skeptical face, the leader of the other world had a look of intensity on her face.
"Do you truly believe that you will be able to survive on your own?" She asked.

"There are never any guarantees in life," Mallory replied, taking a seat across from her. "But sometimes, a course of action must be taken regardless of whether it is the wise or safe option. Our worlds lie on the borders, and as such, we change hands like the wind. While I long for the days of peace, my world still suffers from the time before the Ares Conventions. Oregon was nothing but irradiated ash and craters in my Grandfather's time. Instead of offering aid, the First Prince turned and began another offensive into the Capellan Confederation. Leaving my Grandfather to make inroads to the Terran Hegemony for assistance. We have rebuilt on our own, and while this path is risky, it is what has been decided."

"If you will help me build my military industry, you can count me in," the Duchess said. "I have long possessed a prototype of the Archer that the Hegemony uses. My engineers and scientists figured out how to manufacture the 'mech. But the Coordinator and the ISF have not granted permission to build more factories along the border. When I petitioned directly, I was told that there would be no factories built along the border. That the 'risks' were too great. If you will share your technology and trust me, I will do the same with you."

"We have battlemechs, and we have the combat vehicles," Duke Mallory replied. "What we lack to be truly secure is aerospace defenses. I have begun talks with Jalastar Aerospace to obtain the designs for the Centurion and have begun breaking ground on the factories that will be necessary."

"I will have my agents look for what we can obtain," the other planetary ruler nodded and extended her hand. "Duke Alton Mallory, I look forward to this partnership. May we live long enough to regret our decisions."

"I'll drink to that," the duke said, standing to pull open a glass cabinet with a bottle of aged whiskey.

"No toast?" the duchess smirked.

"I feel enough words have been said," Duke Mallory replied. "Now is the time for action."

 

[redred45]

woot new battletech story from my favorite battletech author