Theodore let the echoes of the gunshot fade completely before he spoke. "Tai-saSanada was a fool. His objective—to win personal glory by taking that city—was at odds with the army's objective of total victory. Of what use are battle victories when we lose the war? None, of course, but it is only individuals like Chu-iThorsen here who understand this."
Kurita looked toward the holographic map. "My father has lost sight of this objective. He is obsessed with avenging the loss of honor he suffered in dealing with Wolf's Dragoons. His few competent staff officers are tripping over themselves to recoup our losses in the Rasalhague District. No one bothers with the Dieron Military District because there we have lost the least amount of territory to our enemies."
Palmer Conti leaned forward and studied the map. "It is as you say. You call us here to a meeting that will get us killed if your father ever hears of it, so you must have something in mind. What do you propose to do?"
Theodore smiled easily. Pressing a button, he illuminated a world behind the Lyran lines. "Dromini VI, gentlemen, is an agricultural world of little military import. The largely Buddhist population has given the occupying force little or no trouble, and so the LCAF has only a militia unit garrisoning the world.
"Their sense of security is false. I already have a Nekekamistrike team on the world, and they will slaughter the militia in three days. I also have the coordinates of a pirate jump point out beyond the sixth planet that will allow us transit to and from that world quickly. Because the Nekekamihave already broken the militia's security, no one will know this peaceful world has become an armed camp."
Hitting another button flashed a red circle to life around Dromini VI. The circle captured seven worlds in the Isle of Skye and five occupied worlds in its radius. "These worlds are one jump out from Dromini. Once our JumpShips recharge, we can strike into the heart of the Isle of Skye."
Jinjiro studied the map closely. So simple a plan, yet so devastating. It will put us in position to strike beyond Lyran hard points, forcing them to withdraw troops so they can protect all their holdings, not just key worlds. In this way, they will equalize their forces and make it easier for us to concentrate our own forces to defeat them. It turns the war into a guessing game we can win.
Conti pointed at the Lyran world of Lyons. "I assume you want to hit these worlds to force the Isle of Skye to pull out of the Commonwealth and declare itself neutral. The Third Dieron Regulars tried that and died on Lyons."
Theodore nodded slightly at the Fifth Sword's commander. "You are correct that I want to force the Isle of Skye out of the Commonwealth. Duke Lestrade graciously denuded his holding of troops, inviting us in so we could supply him the excuse he needed to withdraw, but that plan died with the Third Dieron Regulars. Still, the Isle of Skye is definitely understaffed and I mean to force the Isle of Skye out of the Commonwealth because I own it! Seven worlds, gentlemen, there for the taking. Then we leap deeper and deeper into the Commonwealth, cutting the invaders off from their own lines of supply."
Jinjiro swallowed hard. He means to do more than force the Lyrans back across their side of the border. He wants to take worlds from them to increase the Dragon's realm. This will be such a severe blow to House Steiner that they will be forced out of the war, giving us the chance to fall upon House Davion with a vengeance.
Tai-shoRajpuman looked up at Theodore. "What of the mercenaries that destroyed the Third Dieron Regulars on Lyons?"
The Coordinator's son smiled, then hit a button on the table. Off to his right, facing Palmer Conti, a wall panel slid silently into the ceiling. Theodore turned to the gray-haired officer standing in the doorway. "What of the Kell Hounds?"
Yorinaga Kurita did not smile. "They are of no concern. By the time your attacks take place, the Kell Hounds will be nothing more than a memory."
Theodore nodded solemnly. "The Genyoshawill meet and battle the Kell Hounds on Nusakan in October. .."
Conti snorted derisively, "That means we'll be fighting them in November."
Yorinaga regarded Conti with a fierce stare that sent shivers up and down Jinjiro's spine. "That Tai-showould be wise to remember that the Genyoshakept Team Banzai's Blue Blazer battalion from overrunning his command post on Northwind."
Conti regarded Yorinaga like a cobra watching a mongoose. "True, but you lost your base to a raid by Morgan Kell..."
Pounding his fist into the table, Theodore cut off discussion. "Enough, Conti. This is shameful. If you resent Yorinaga on a personal basis, settle your differences with him outside this room. His Genyoshais a superior fighting force, and all of us in this room know it. By the same token, we know my father has abandoned it in much the same way he has forgotten the whole Dieron Military District. The Genyoshaare an elite unit, but they get no supplies. This holds true for the entire district. My father is not giving us the materials, support, or respect we are due."
Theodore pointed to the star map. "My plan will enable us to beg, borrow, and steal the supplies we need to sustain a campaign of conquest. The Genyoshawill be our first unit going into the Isle of Skye, and they will destroy the Kell Hounds. Yorinaga has earned the glory and the right, and he shall have it."
Palmer Conti's face darkened, and Jinjiro sensed wheels turning within wheels in his mind. The Kurita Tai-sholooked up. "Will not the strike at Nusakan tip our hand?"
Theodore chuckled slightly. "No. The Archon has given her blessing to this battle between the Kell Hounds and the Genyosha.She is enough of a warrior that she will not move troops into that area for fear of dishonoring Morgan Kell. What few troops remain in the Isle of Skye will not be anticipating an attack, and we will catch them unprepared."
Theodore watched as Conti reluctantly nodded his agreement. "That settles it, then," said Kurita. "By the new year, we will rule the Isle of Skye. If he's lucky, I will let Aldo Lestrade live long enough to see how brilliant his plan truly was."
29
Moore
Dieron Military District, Draconis Combine
1 August 3029
Tai-iJinjiro Thorsen moaned as Caterina Enritsu, the concubine Theodore Kurita had presented him in reward for his service, massaged the ciofaf-scented oil deeper into the muscles of his right thigh. He raised his head to look at her, but without his glasses, she appeared as a blur of golden hair and lightly bronzed skin. He reached out, brushing his fingertips against her shoulder, and she kissed his hand.
"So, Thorsen-sama, you must be a very important man. It is not often the Coordinator's son sends his personal aide to demand special treatment for a patron."
Jinjiro nodded, then let his head sink back down on the futon. Caterina slid her hands up his body, sending a thrill through him, then started to massage his left shoulder. "No, Caterina-san, I am not that important." I wish I were, then I could afford your services, and you would admit me into that closed circle of important clients you keep. Your importance is far greater than mine.
She laughed lightly and melodiously. "I think you are being modest, Jinjiro. You must have done something to deserve a promotion from Chu-ito Tai-itoday."