IS: Interlude: Frederick Steiner II

Over the course of the past year, Frederick Steiner had blazed a bloody trail through the Periphery, conquering First the Circinus Federation, then the Lothian League, before finally embarking on another conquest, this time of the Illyrian Palatinate. He had been aided in this by funds and equipment from his backers in the Tristar Alliance, along with suspiciously generous loans from ComStar. He had even managed to conquer the independent world of Revel, mostly due to the local's inability to field any Mechs and his buying up the contracts of any mercenaries who they might have hired. Finally, he had managed to put a small naval and recharge station at the inhabitable, but uncolonized, world of Valerius.

Now, as Thirty-Twenty-Eight dawned, Frederick Steiner sat in control of Twenty-Two Worlds, which, while needing funds and time to build up to a substantial level, had a decent base to work off of. All of these worlds were or could be easily, industrialized, and though it would require funds to repair, refurbish, and build new infrastructure, the fact that Frederick had no further need of the many mercenaries he had been paying for should free up quite a bit of funds, while his allies in the Tristar Alliance had been willing to sell him materials, schematics, and construction crews for everything he would need to build up these worlds at bargain prices.

All he needed was time and funding, although, according to his most recent chat with Janos Marik, time would be the limiting factor more than funds. He had plenty of the latter as it was between his allies' financial assistance and the loans from ComStar. Unfortunately, he was beginning to see the issues that could arise when one of your primary alliance partners was Maximilian Liao. The man was called Mad Max for a reason, it seemed, and not just because it was an easy insult to denigrate the man with, as his talk with Janos Marik revealed.

They had met in a cafe on the Independent world of Niops, ruled by the Niops Association. Niops held to strict neutrality in the conflicts of their neighbors and their security, bought and paid for by the recent sale of centuries of novel research to interested parties in the Taurian Concordat and Magistracy of Canopus, is some of the best that money could buy. Accordingly, it was the perfect place for two heads of state to meet clandestinely without fear of anyone trying to pull something as likely to fail as assassination.

Of course, for all anyone knew, the private room of the dining club that had been booked out for the evening was booked by one of Niops' Research Caste's consistent functions. You could force the scientists to become politicians and leaders, but you couldn't take their need to network away from them. Symposiums on Niops were a perennial thing, and this meeting taking the guise of one was a stroke of brilliance, in Frederick's considered opinion. After all, whoever would have predicted that the Periphery Geopolitical and Economic Symposium was actually Frederick Steiner and Janos Marik having a private and clandestine talk? Certainly, no one would have batted an eye if the Sociological Researchers of the Niops Association had put together this sort of symposium.

Unfortunately, once all the food had been eaten and the pleasantries exchanged, once drinks were in hand and the business of state was to be discussed, Janos Marik had bad news for Frederick. News regarding the one thing he needed as much of as he could get in order to succeed in their collective plans.

"Unfortunately, it seems that the Liaos are pushing for a new war to begin no later than spring of thirty-thirty-five at the absolute latest." Informed Janos Marik.

"Meine Gott, why?" Questioned Frederick.

"It's a matter of pride first and foremost and of the economy secondly. With the Davions Capturing Tikonov in the last war, Earthwerks Limited has lost its corporate Headquarters, and while the Liaos have shifted production of components and equipment made there to the facilities on Ares and Grand Base, and made expanding those production lines a priority, the mere fact that the Davions have control of the Tikonov Facility and can produce the previously-exclusive Warhammer seems to be a sticking point." Admitted Janos Marik.

"Will the rest of you even be ready by then?" Queried Frederick.

"Possibly. The Helm Memory Core that we retrieved, along with damaged examples of the Poniatowski Boy's technology salvaged from the Battlefields of the Last War is helping. We have already made several discoveries, for example, my own technicians have managed to reverse-engineer the Double Heat Sinks and CASE Ammunition Storage, while the Kuritas are close to cracking Ferro-Aluminium and Ferro-Fibrous Armor Plating." Informed Janos Marik.

"And the Liaos?" Asked Frederick.

"The Inner Workings of Maximilian Liao's Technicians are not exactly transparent even at the best of times, but such is the price of working with the Liaos. You could make that claim of just about any department in the Chancellor's Government on any given day and you would likely be correct." Sighed Janos Marik.

"Surely even the Liaos realize the need for a common policy on reverse engineering?" Questioned Frederick.

"Fathoming what the Liaos do and do not understand is a job for those far more talented in psychoanalysis than I am. What I do know is that Maximilian Liao Claims to have figured out some form of ECM that is effective against modern scanners. Apparently, it is something that his technicians managed to reverse-engineer out of the Helm Core. Whether that is true or not is anyone's guess. I suppose we'll find out when he unveils the new Assault Battlemech he is working on." Shrugged Janos Marik.

"He is not sharing the technology?" Queried Frederick.

"We agreed to license complete designs to each other as part of the efforts. I suppose Maximilian Liao doesn't feel the design is complete unless it is shoved into a Battlemech of some sort." Answered Janos Marik.

"But the Kuritas are licensing their designs for parts?" Asked Frederick.

"They are. They have already licensed out designs for Precision Autocannon Rounds and Streak LRM and SRM Launchers. Meanwhile, we have already licensed out Double Heat Sink and CASE Ammunition Storage Technology." Nodded Janos Marik.

"I see. What of the efforts to counter WarShips? What have you discovered?" Questioned Frederick.

"The Kuritas and our own technicians are working on a joint effort on that front. We have come up with a suitable design, which we are terming the Dejima-class Frigate. It will, when the design is finalized, primarily be an anti-fighter ship, though, as we are close to cracking Naval Autocannons, Naval Lasers, and Naval PPCs, we will be mounting a decent-sized cadre of those on the hull as well, though, obviously not as many as the normal-sized weapons mounts." Informed Janos Marik.

"Dejima? And how many counts as decent-sized?" Queried Frederick.

"Yes, well. Takashi insisted he be given the honor of naming the class, and since we need such ships to hope to stand against the LCAF's Naval Arm, I went along with it. As to how many decent-sized counts as, anywhere from thirty to thirty-eight, largely depending on how well our technicians crack the Capital Scale Weapons." Explained Janos Marik.

"I see. You may be more right about that than you know." Intoned Frederick.

"How do you mean?" Asked Janos Marik.

"My allies in the Commonwealth keep me abreast of the Witch's movements. Would you be surprised to learn that the Bundesadler flies again?" Questioned Frederick.

"The Mako-class Corvette? I thought you said that your ancestors kept the remaining hulks that couldn't be repaired in mothballs?" Queried Janos Marik.

"Apparently, someone figured out how to repair such ships. I shall give you a guess as to who that someone is." Smirked Frederick.

"The Poniatowski Boy. I had heard rumors he showed up at a Gala on Apollo in a refurbished Mako-Class. I didn't believe them at the time, as none of the reports from any of the usual, more reliable, sources were as fanciful." Frowned Janos Marik.

"Indeed. Think of it, if Rasalhague was to gain such capabilities, the Kuritas would be in for quite a difficult time retaking many of the worlds they were planning to reclaim in the next war." Mused Frederick.

"I will have to rush the technicians into getting working Capital Scale Weaponry, then. This must be answered." Huffed Janos Marik.

"It could very well be the one thing that could swing more battles in our favor than anything else. After all, together, the Tristar Alliance has the most manufacturing capacity out of any side in the upcoming war. Surely enough to outproduce the Witch and her Poniatowski Lapdog." Remarked Frederick.

"Or, perhaps we should make our own plans, independent of the Liaos and Kuritas?" Hedged Janos Marik.

"How do you mean?" Asked Frederick.

"Think of it. The more forces that get sent to fight in Rasalhague, the less focus will be placed on fronts against you and I. After all, if we want your offensive to truly succeed, we will need as much of the element of surprise as possible." Tried Janos Marik.

"My Offensive will succeed regardless. The Witch is a poor strategist and relies heavily on her lapdogs to cover for her weaknesses. That can only do so much, however, and once the people see her clear inferiority, those same lapdogs will rush to my banner abandoning her to her fate. I do not need to sell out allies in such a manner, I merely need overwhelming force." Scoffed Frederick.

"You think so, do you?" Questioned Janos Marik.

"I know so. Is that not why you are backing me? Do you not also recognize this?" Queried Frederick.

"Perhaps, but it could not hurt to have assurances. Besides, we all know that once Katrina is gone and the Davions are trimmed back, the Tristar Alliance will have outlived its usefulness." Frowned Janos Marik.

"Such underhanded methods are not my preferred tactics." Sighed Frederick.

"Perhaps not, but the more weakened the Liaos and Kuritas are from the war, the better. Surely you do not think Maximilian Liao would hesitate to plant a knife in all our backs once his immediate goals are met? Or that Takashi Kurita would not press for the conquest of our own territories once Rasalhague is back in his clutches and the Davions have been humbled?" Asked Janos Marik.

"I suppose not." Admitted Frederick.

"Then this is the best outcome for both of us." Insisted Janos Marik.

"Very well. I might dislike the idea, but I do at least recognize its strategic value." Assented Frederick.

"Very good. In that case, I believe I shall direct my technicians to stall on the Naval Lasers. A team from Kallon Industries is the primary team working on those and Naval Lasers are supposed to make up sixteen of the proposed thirty-eight Capital Scale Weapons Mounts. I will inform the Kuritas that we have cracked the design close enough to the planned deadline for the start of operations that most of the Kurita-built Dejima-class will be lighter on armaments. All the while, we will produce the full design the entire time for our own fleets." Intoned Janos Marik.

"We?" Questioned Frederick.

"Assuming you can get that shipyard you were planning up and running?" Queried Janos Marik.

"How do you know about that?" Asked Frederick.

Indeed, Frederick had been planning a small shipyard. Something capable of producing Dropships, smaller JumpShips, and maybe the odd Pocket WarShip if he could get the technology from his allies. However, he thought he had purchased the components for such a facility stealthily enough to merit it escaping notice from his allies. Sourcing components for a dockyard separately from each of his three benefactors while using middlemen hired from neutral states as catspaws.

"You did not think that we could not put the pieces of your plan together just because you ordered different components from each of us, did you? You are far too modest about your dislike of skullduggery, it was quite a decent try for a first attempt." Grinned Janos Marik.

"To answer your question, no I do not think I will be capable of producing such large WarShips. Dropships, Smaller JumpShips, and perhaps a Pocket WarShip or two. What is the tonnage of your proposed Denjin-class?" Questioned Frederick.

"Six-Hundred-Thirty-Thousand Tons." Informed Janos Marik.

"Then no. That's over twice as much tonnage as my best projections say the Shipyard will be able to handle." Admitted Frederick.

"I see. Well, perhaps you might be better served with Pocket WarShips, then. I have a design you might be interested in that I could license to you. Thirty-Five-Thousand tons, mounted with Naval Autocannon-Twenties and Medium Naval PPCs, carrying a squadron of AeroSpace Fighters, armored in Ferro-Aluminium Armor, and equipped with medium and large lasers for anti-fighter duty. We call it the Thunderfalcon-class. It's built solely as a Pocket WarShip." Informed Janos Marik.

"Is it any good?" Queried Frederick.

"Well, you know those Pentagon Two-class Pocket WarShips that the Poniatowski Boy thinks no one knows he has?" Asked Janos Marik.

"I do." Confirmed Frederick.

"My Analysts believe these to be a match for those." Informed Janos Marik.

"Then I think that might be something I would be interested in." Nodded Frederick.

"Excellent. In the meantime, expect another round of funding and offers of materials, crews, and components for your build-up efforts. We need you to be as credible a threat as you can be to pull this off." Grinned Janos Marik.

"And no doubt the repayments you will all demand once I am Archon will also be of some consolation." Scoffed Frederick.

"No doubt, but until that day comes, you need to resume your build-up." Insisted Janos Marik.

That had been the last word on the subject, and really, there wasn't much more to be said on the issue. A few more bits of information were exchanged regarding build-up rates and amounts for funding for the next round, but really all of that sort of thing could have been taken care of by the various accountants and quartermaster. The pertinent information had long since been exchanged by the time both men called it quits for the evening. In the morning, they would take different dropships, leaving at different times, to different JumpShips. Frederick would be heading back to Circinus, while Janos would be headed to a diplomatic talk on Canopus, which was why he had been able to come out this way to meet in person, to begin with.

Privately, just for a moment, Frederick wondered if Janos would try seducing the Magestrix into joining the Tristar Alliance, but swiftly pushed that thought out of his mind. Going by reputation, if anyone would be doing any seducing at that conference, it would be Kyalla Centrella. Frederick honestly couldn't picture Janos doing any seducing at all, really. Not successfully, at least. Besides, even if the Magistracy of Canopus were to join the Tristar Alliance, that would likely only push the Taurians to join an opposing alliance bloc, and while Frederick couldn't ever see the Taurians agreeing to join any alliance that involved the Federated Suns, technically, neither the Poniatowski Boy nor the Witch were formally allied with the Davions at the moment. The Tristar Alliance had enough enemies as it was, they didn't need more right now.

No, it was likely Janos would try to get some economic or minor border concessions and leave it at that. It wouldn't involve the Tristar Alliance as a whole or Frederick in particular. That decided, Frederick Steiner put Janos Marik's trip to Canopus out of his mind. Instead, he would turn his planning toward something closer to home. How best to put the new funding and other assistance to use in his build-up. He wasn't at the level yet where he could build a Mech Factory on any of his worlds, as that would take a few years yet, but Circinius, Lothario, and Illyria could handle factories for Combat Vehicles and Aerospace Fighters by the end of the year, as soon as he built up the requisite infrastructure.

And that, Frederick Decided, would be a good start. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, so here we see what's been going on with Frederick Steiner. He's successfully conquered the Circinius Federation, Lothian League, and Illyrian Palatinate, along with the Independent World of Revel, and colonized Valerius, albeit only enough to support a small naval station and recharge facility. Technically, that makes him ruler of Twenty-Two Worlds, though he'll be spending the vast majority of the next several years building them up.

His current plan is to have combat vehicle and Aerospace Fighter production on Circinius, Lothario, and Illyria by the end of the year, a small Dropship and JumpShip Shipyard by thirty-thirty-one, and mech production up by thirty-thirty-two. That would give him two to three years of production of war materials unrestricted, depending on how patient Mad Max is. His hope is that it will be enough when combined with the Tristars' Offensives and his Free Skye Allies, to beat whatever Katrina has in the area and seize the Throne of the Lyran Commonwealth. The build-up part should be just about doable, with backing from the Tristars, though the jury's still out on how well his planned offensive during the next war is going to go.

At any rate, the Next Chapter will have us back with Jozef. I'll also have a new map out at some point before then showing changes in territory.

Stay tuned. . .