Riposte

The Chancellor frowned. "This I know only too well, Shang. The Fox has aptly pointed this out to me."

"Forgive me, sire. I meant no disrespect." Shang hit a stud on the wartable's edge. Six worlds in the Federated Suns burned with a golden light. "Davion's supplies all run through these six worlds. We know, because of the schedule of advances and by what we know his forces captured, that the Davion war machine is not living off the land. His conquests have not won him the supplies he needs to continue his war."

Justin saw frustration and anger ripple through the Chancellor's slender frame. Justin lifted his metal hand to forestall an outburst. "Highness, Citizen Shang has hit upon a way to hurt Davion's advance and resupply our forces with the 'Mechs and parts they need to finally throw the invaders back out of the Confederation."

Shang nodded his thanks to Justin, then continued his explanation. "Kawich, Nopah, Basal, New Aragon, Algot, and Halloran V are Davion's storehouses. Using the troops we've evacuated from the worlds Davion has taken, we can hit his supply depots. We'll deprive his troops of the supplies they so sorely need and we'll replenish our own dwindling cache of weapons and 'Mechs."

As Shang began to describe the operation world by world, Justin picked up his notebook from the wartable's edge and began to copy down, in detail, the proposed series of strikes. The Chancellor glanced at him, then nodded. Shang watched Justin to make sure he got each point before continuing.

Shang smiled carefully. "Because we know, Celestial Paragon, that Davion's forces are solidifying their grasp on the worlds they have just hit, we know that no new wave will come until February. Davion has taken many worlds, but he's had to garrison each one. For this reason, supplies have to be stretched to their practical limits."

Shang pointed to the planet Halloran V. "This is the attack that will have the fewest forces. We can only send the one surviving company of Freemont's Cuirassiers, but the Duke's information indicates that the world lacks anything in the way of a garrison. Kawich gets the equivalent of four battalions, New Aragon gets a reinforced regiment built from what's left of the Chesterton Voltigeurs, and Nopah will be hit with two full regiments, including your own Second Capellan Hussars Regiment." As he spoke, the computer focused on each world, then unfolded a small chart listing all the forces assigned to the assault.

The Chancellor nodded slowly. "An interesting plan, Citizen Shang." A smile had crept onto Liao's face. "Do you concur, Citizen Xiang?"

Justin looked up from his notes, then turned to a new blank page. "I believe the whole campaign has been meticulously pla

"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 ru

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."