Not everybody who writes for Battle Technology is on staff. Much of our material is from freelancers all over the Known Sphere; most of the staff began that way. Not only do we pay a bounty for items used, we pay premium rates for articles and pictures sent in by the people on the spot. This issue we have such a find; Anders Donaldson, a writer of some stature, had been given permission to do research in the library of the Chancellory Palace on Sian for an upcoming book on Kurita-Liao relationships overthe last two centuries. Three weeks into the project, he was astonished to receive the invitation: Chancellor Romano Liao, Mighty Sword of the Confederation, Sun of Union, Excellent Provider to Her People, Serene Highness of Tikonov and St Ives, Laureate of Universal Reason, Phoenix of Faithful Duty, and Jade Empress of the Marches to Researcher First Class Anders Donaldson: Servant to our honorable and worthy cousin Takashi Kurita, Coordinator of the Draconis Combine; Greetings! Know that the object of your studies is pleasing to us, The welfare of our ally the Dragon, and the past long friendship of our Houses are items of interest to the Capellan Confederation. Therefore it has been decided that on the 20th Day of November, 3049, at 1030 hours, you will be granted an interview with Myself, said interview to take place in the Chancellory Library, You may bring recording equipment for this meeting with history. Please be prompt, as our busy schedule permits us the leisure of but one hour. You'd better believe that Donaldson got in touch with our local offices for a recording crew. The date given was less than twenty four hours away! He stayed up all night reading, and preparing his questions. At 1000 hours, crew and journalist were ready. At 1130 hours, there was a clash of cymbals, and The Chancellor entered. For two hours she questioned the journalist and camera crew about personal history, life styles, living conditions outside the Confederation, politics in the Draconis Combine, fashions, warrior training methods, and how Capellan propaganda was being received all over the Known Sphere. The crew had brought plenty of tape, which was fortunate. They recorded every word, we have not edited out anything, and the complete record is available for public inspection. The portion that appears here is the last half hour of that record. Until this time, Chancellor Liao had been most gracious. Donaldson recorded his impressions: The Chancellor still has a mature beauty. She was once known for her lively charm; not a trace of that remains. Her beauty is severe now, regal and certain of herself. Her famous intelligence was more In evidence than ever; her questions were remarkably like an in-depth debriefing. I couldn't help being impressed with the energy and force of her personality. I had to resist a tendency to stammer. Could the rumors of cruelty and capriciousness be only propaganda, spread by her enemies? Chancellor Liao: (with a gracious smile) And now, Mr Donaldson, I assume that you have a question or two prepared for me? BattleTechnology: Thank you, Madame Chancellor. As the Thirty First Century passes its halfway mark, how would you say that House Liao stands, compared to the other Successor Houses? Chancellor Liao: Stronger than ever! After the disastrous Davionist aggression of 3028, many of your news agency oracles said that we were finished. The Saso Clarion compared us to "a wounded shark, fated to be dismembered by others of the same kind once it was realized how mortally hurt we were." Other ... sharks have certainly attempted it! The Andurien- Canopus alliance came the closest to succeeding. But now Andurien is no longer independent; Catherine Humphries is dead. Kyalla Centrella of Canopus is rotting to death in her madhouse. And the Capellan Confederation? We go from strength to strength. BattleTechnology: The Illustrious Great Rebuilding is complete, Madame Chancellor? Chancellor Liao: It is, yes! Every Mech factory, every shipyard, every engine works on planets remaining to the Capellan Confederation has been rebuilt. Earthworks in particular, is many times expanded from what it was. BattleTechnology: The nationalization of all industry in 3042 did not slow down this effort? Chancellor Liao: Far from it! Under the direct leadership of a strong ruler, our economy flourishes! (Editorial note: By independent economic studies, the Gross World Product index for Liao worlds is down an average of 10.12% over the past five years. ComStar med teams specializing in deficiency and malnutrition diseases have been called in quietly to seventeen Liao backwater planets. They were brought in secretly because House Liao policy forbids any request of aid from ComStar.) BattleTechnology: Would you give us a brief description of the other leaders of the Inner Sphere from the Capellan point of view? Chancellor Liao: Thomas Marik is a clever man who knows how to wait and how to plan. It would be an honor to ally with him should the times permit it. Of House Kurita, Coordinator Takashi Kurita is a shrewd politician. He knows the human mind intimately, and can play upon it. He is quite recovered from his illness, quite rational. He is a brilliant strategist. His son the Deputy for War (Gunji no Kanrei), is both strategist and tactician. In addition, the Kanrei is aware of the value of training! Theodore Kurita knows that most battle are won or lost before you make contact with the enemy, by the level of training and supply of the troops involved. Many consider the Free Republic of Rasalhague to be one of the Great Houses now. Territorially, I must concede this to be true. But as long as they continue giving credence to the Even Scale Policy they will never be great. From a proud warrior region they are becoming a nation of bureaucrats, accounting for each bean bought from the Lyrans in order to buy one of equal size and weight f rom the Draconis Combine! Foolish beyond belief. The Lyrans? House Steiner's Archon Melissa Steiner Davion is a pretty puppet. She is Hanse Davion's greatest propaganda toy. I once thought Hanse Davion was supernatural, a trickster spirit. He is ... merely an able and unscrupulous leader. A man of many talents and no principles whatsoever. BattleTechnology: And your sister, Candace Liao, Duchess of St Ives? Chancellor Liao: I have neither sister nor brother. You are misinformed. St Ives is part of the Capellan Confederation. The rebels currently infesting that unfortunate region have been neutralized. Or will be, shortly. BattleTechnology: There is a rumor that House Liao might consider joining with the Taurian Concordat to make war upon the Federated Commonwealth. The Calderons would evidently consider themselves justified, as they fear a Davion invasion. Chancellor Liao: It is a great pity that we are at present unable to give into our justified and righteous indignation and aid these deserving victims of Hanse Davion's will to tyranny. BattleTechnology: Madame Chancellor, one of the oldest traditions of House Liao are the strong Warrior Houses: House Ijori, House Fujita, House Imarra. and the rest. They are deeply loyal to the Confederation, tremendously able, full of elite warriors. Yet they were cut to pieces during the Fourth Succession War. In your opinion, are the Warrior Houses obsolete? Chancellor Liao: Certainly not! The Warrior Houses are the backbone of House Liao! They are back to strength now, proud and full of life. They are our finest, our hope for the future! BattleTechnology: May we speak of your children? (a gracious nod) What may the peoples of the Inner Sphere expect from your son Sun Tzu? Chancellor Liao: Expect that he will obtain whatever he desires! He is a military genius like Sir Stephen Liao of old. No world will be safe from him; no fortress will be able to withstand him. That is, if the Capellan Confederation were minded toward aggression and violence, which it is not. BattleTechnology: And your daughter Kali? What may they expect from her. Chancellor Liao: Kali is an energetic, intelligent young woman. She will be an ornament to whatever she chooses as a career. BattleTechnology: Her title is Lady of Highspire, a title which used to be your own. The planet Highspire is now part of the Sama Marches of the Federated Commonwealth. Can you comment upon that? Chancellor Liao: (with a tight-lipped smile) You dare a great deal, young man! I believe that my prior comment upon unprincipled Davionist aggressions covers this situation as well. BattleTechnology: In September of 3049, there was a popular uprising against the troops on Highspire. Sentries were murdered, barracks were blown up, Mechs and vehicles were sabotaged. The governor was assassinated. Signs were left at the various sites which suggested that the Thugge cult, which is reputed to be very loyal to yourself, was responsible. The Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth suppressed this revolt quite sternly. Have you any comment to make? Chancellor Liao: You yourself referred to the event as a 'popular uprising', Mr. Donaldson. I grieve for my people in this savagely repressed world, ground under the iron boot of the Federated Commonwealth. Tsen Shang, head of our Maskirova, our intelligence gathering agency, has made public the many Davion atrocities that led a quiet, orderly people to an outraged revolt. I hope that the popular press will see fit to make these more widely known. BattleTechnology: Back to the Warrior Houses for a moment. When you speak so proudly of them, does that include the secret House, the assassins of the House of the Setting Sun? Chancellor Liao: (Her eyes flare. She is abruptly silent She thinks for a long moment, then replies) There are no dark secrets in the Capellan Confederation. The so-called House of the Setting Sun is merely a series of citizens' lodges, groups of patriots. You might call them a group of reservists. BattleTechnology: Will you deny for the record that you and your daughter Kali are descendants of Bhowanee? Chancellor Liao: (Gives no verbal answer. Looks toward where her guards are stationed.) BattleTechnology: Madame Chancellor, we are on record. Will you deny to all the Known Sphere that you and your daughter are descendants of the legendary ancestor of the Thuggee? (Editorial note: By the beliefs of the Thuggee, you may tell any lie except to deny Bhowanee. Not very many outsiders have ever heard that name. To deny him is to be delivered unto a cursed death.) Chancellor Liao: (with icy control) You have overstepped the limits of my courtesy with your accusations. This interview is at an end. BattleTechnology: The questions remain unanswered, Madame Chancellor. Chancellor Liao: (Whirling furiously) You have until local sunrise to be gone from this planet! And from Capellan Territory! House Liao no longer extends you hospitality! BattleTechnology: You know it is impossible to get so far in a fraction over thirteen hours... Chancellor Liao: (cutting him off) Until sunrise, no more! (She makes a furious gesture towards the cameraman. The tape ends.) Back to BattleTechnology 13 Table of Contents Back to BattleTechnology List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 1990 by Pacific Rim Publishing. 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