"What is it, Citizen? I hear hesitation in your voice."
Justin smiled and pointed to a world a bit deeper in the Federated Suns. "Axton. McCarron's Armored Cavalry hit it four years ago when, at your direction, that mercenary unit raided throughout the Capellan March. Davion put lots of money into rebuilding the mines McCarron's people destroyed, but the cost of reconstructing them is out of line with what we estimate the projects should have cost."
The Chancellor's head came up. "Implication?"
Shang smiled. "It's Justin's Grail, Celestial Worship. Justin has been working to track down the location of a secret NAIS 'Mech research facility. He's heard rumors that it has created some very powerful 'Mechs."
Justin nodded as the Chancellor looked at him. "I've eliminated four of the six candidates I had for the world containing the research facility. I need a force to raid Axton to discover if it has the base on it. If it does, we can capture some of the new 'Mechs, or whatever it is that makes them so powerful, then use Davion's own technical efforts against him."
Justin looked at the world labeled Axton. "Axton is the logical target for us to hit. The Fourth Tau Ceti Rangers retreated its First Battalion to Highspire. From there, they can hit Axton easily. Either we get the technology, or we find out where it really is." Justin smiled, remembering that Candace had Axton as one of her plates at the wedding. It had to be a sign.
Maximilian Liao nodded carefully. "Your plans are ambitious, but based on more solid and convincing data and reasoning than those advanced by Ridzik. Let us proceed with them."
Tsen Shang held up one hand. "Wait. There are a couple of other angles we must consider." He pointed at the thin finger of Davion worlds running between the Tikonov Commonality and the Draconis Combine's Dieron Military District. "The Combine is fighting tooth and nail against Wolf's Dragoons in the Galedon Military District, but that's a strictly personal fight. General Cherenkoff is content to let Theodore Kurita stabilize the Steiner border, but he does nothing with the troops in his own Al Na'ir prefecture. If he could be persuaded to slash down into the Terran corridor, it would force Davion to pull troops back, troops he might be gathering for the fourth wave. Were this attack to come in ten days, it would allow Davion to react, giving us the breathing room we need for our operation to take place."
Liao nodded. "I see that. I will communicate with Takashi Kurita immediately. A number of systems will be his for the taking." He smiled easily. "Consider the attacks done."
Suddenly the Chancellor stiffened. "I should have seen it before," he said, turning back toward the wartable. "I know what Pavel Ridzik meant to do. Yes ... it is so clear." The Chancellor smiled coldly, then looked from one analyst to the other. "As clear as crystal."
Justin shuddered inwardly. He feels inspired. What madness can he be concocting now?
The Chancellor pointed to Justin's notebook. "You will order your assault, timed to take full advantage of the Combine's attack on the Terran corridor. Call it Operation Riposte. Include your attack on Axton. We will strangle Prince Davion with his own supplies and research. Lastly," Liao said with a cruel smile, "we will eliminate the most dangerous threat to the Capellan Confederation."
Justin frowned in puzzlement and Tsen Shang looked equally confused. The Chancellor, lost in his revelation, paid no notice to either one of them. "He wanted his own troops so that he could recapture Tikonov, then declare the whole Commonality an independent nation-state. He would have all the troops in Tikonov with him for the assault, then he'd turn and march on Sian. He'd strike a deal with Davion, much as I have with Duke Michael. He believes he can replace me!"
Liao's voice dropped to a hissed whisper. "The Fox has learned well from my example, but not well enough. Ridzik's plan has forewarned me of the coming treachery and betrayal. I will not have it." He looked over at Justin. "Write it down so that it may be recorded for all posterity. On this day, I, Maximilian Liao, order the death of Colonel Pavel Ridzik for the act of treason he plans to commit."
Chuckling to himself, the Chancellor spun on his heel, then strode out of the room. The door slid down behind him, abruptly cutting off his laughter.
"Either he's a genius," said Shang, "or he's totally mad."
Justin shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. Fifty-fifty chance he's right about Ridzik. After all, we do know Ridzik has betrayed the Chancellor in bed. Who's to say the Colonel doesn't want a clear claim to the Chancellor's wife?"
Shang nodded. "Well, we've got our work cut out for us." He sighed. "Writing the orders for these attacks is going to take all night."
Justin tapped the notebook. "Do you want my notes?"
Shang touched a finger to his right temple. "Got it up here. You write up the orders for the Axton strike and I'll holler if I need help with the rest. It's my plan, after all, so I'll do the work."
Closing his notebook, Justin smiled. "Hoped you'd feel that way."
Justin looked up from behind his desk as Alexi Malenkov entered the office. "What are you doing up? Didn't we work you hard enough earlier?"
Alexi glanced at his chronometer, then frowned. "Hell, Justin, it's not even midnight. The last three months have been so bad that I can never get to sleep until dawn. Besides, until Duke Michael transmits some new data, and with you and Tsen sequestered away in the map chamber, I actually get to take it easy."
Justin extended his right arm and stretched it. "You must lead a good life, Alexi, because there certainly is no rest for the wicked."
The tall analyst laughed. "Maybe I can change my image." He nodded toward the notebook, then looked at the computer console. "Got anything you need me to do?"
Justin hesitated for half a second, then smiled. "Sure." He tore one page from the notebook, then handed the book to Alexi. "I've got orders to write it all up, but the rest of these notes need to be transcribed." Justin held up his metal hand. "This thing reduces me to hunting and pecking, and so my typing speed is horrid. Just enter the notes as is and transfer the files to my section. Destroy the notes and make no copies."
Alexi nodded. "Standard operating procedure. Roger, Citizen boss. Code word?"
"The first thing goes under Operation Riposte." Justin thought for a moment. "The other thing you have there should be code-worded: Judas Retribution."
Alexi raised an eyebrow. "Sounds nasty."
Justin shrugged. "Triage. Like amputating a limb before the infection in it can kill the whole body. After you're done, give me a readout on all the Maskirovka termination technicians we have in Tikonov, preferably on Elgin and preferably an attractive female."
Alexi bowed from the waist. "Your wish is my command. Should have everything for you within the hour."
"Good, Alexi. Good." Justin smiled despite his weariness. "If all goes as planned, Hanse Davion will have some big surprises to start off his new year." He leaned back in his chair as Alexi left the room. Operation Riposte and the death of a traitor. How fitting that thus ends the year of the Rat. . .
47
Northwind
Draconis March, Federated Suns
11 January 3029
Akira Brahe, sweat pouring down his face, dropped the scarlet targeting crosshair for his Orion's,autocannon onto the Phoenix Hawk'soutline. "Kaji-3,break right!" He punched the fire button, filling the cockpit with the high-speed whine of the autocannon's firing. A new wave of heat washed over him, but he kept the crosshairs locked onto his target.