King's Gambit

[Nicolás Cormond]

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Nicolás had found it hard to sleep. One could say it was because of a certain man on his mind, and while Numenius was one, there was another: his father. After the Trade Guild publicly voiced their support for Senator Cormond and disavowed his father, the old man had decided to slink farther back into a personal fortress beyond the city outskirts, doubling his guards and multiplying his defenses.

At that point, he had only dug himself a deeper grave and hammered the final nail in his coffin. Now, the public could only see him as guilty, as the man who drove Brentaal onto the verge of destruction. His hope that this entire situation would blow over was woefully mistaken. Rather, the situation had blown up. Matters were made worse and tension sparked into life, then that spark turned into a blaze.

A war had began between Nicolás and Ergo Cormond, father and son. Although it was nothing like the war that now engulfed Alderaan, given the Senator well outnumbered and outclassed his father’s own defenses. Still, a battle needed to be won. Despite calls from all sides, his father refused to step down, desperately clinging to his influence when there was none. His son had already done enough to destroy it. Now, the only thing left to do was to break into his makeshift fortress and imprison him. Of course, Nicolás had no intention of seeing him rot in a cell or await a trial before some kangaroo court. For what he did, he demanded total retribution. He wanted death. And if his father was so willing to go to war to keep his power, then he figured he would resist every way, giving him a perfect excuse to put him out of his misery.

He stepped out from the shuttle and into a makeshift encampment beyond the reach of the facility. A duracrete wall that had not been there during his childhood was erected all around the home, staffed by two dozen guards at all times. Nicolás had a feeling there was far more within. In fact, he knew it. His father would have made sure to surround himself with loyal dogs, fearful of the idea that the small army waiting outside might break in at any second. Little did he know today would be that day. They had been trying to starve him out for more than a week now, preventing anything from coming in or out. To their surprise, he remained strong, stubborn, refusing to concede. A standoff had set in. Although the Senator was never one for waiting, nor was the Guild. They didn’t have the time any longer.

“Welcome, Senator Cormond.” An armored man nodded to the man, then upon noticing Numenius close behind him, bit back his surprise and did the same. “And Senator Pax. It’s an honor. Please, follow me. Commander Nadina is waiting.” The walk to the Commander was silent, awkward. Several soldiers provided by the Guild, volunteers from Brentaal and mercenaries aligned with the Republic stood about, offering either glares or respectful nods. It wasn’t long until the pair of men entered the side of the mountain that overlooked the encampment. Ruins of an old outpost from centuries ago. Inside, a woman surrounded by other armored men and advisors glanced from a holographic map and to the Senators.

“Senator Cormond— and Pax. Glad to see you both made it. Come, we have much to discuss.” She urged them to join her side. Meanwhile, Nicolás only nodded and answered. “Of course.” Then, he looked to Numenius and smiled, also glad he was here despite the risks.

@Nefieslab

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[Numenius Pax]

Numenius had been sleeping like a bay and felt rather guilty about it if he was honest. He knew that Nicolas was stressing rather a lot and hadn't been sleeping right because of it but his proximity had been enough to ensure that Numenius himself slept very soundly indeed. On the occasion he had woken due to some dream or another, he had found Nicolas' arm around him in his sleep... and suddenly he had absolutely no issues getting back to sleep.

One thing he was rather uncertain about was the escalating tension and violence that was occuring. Father and son both had supporters and said supporters were not being idle - there were brawls in the streets over who supported whom and the first death reports had begun to trickle in.

He worried for Nicolas.

Following alongside Nicolas at the encampment, he nodded to the guard in greeting before looking around the assembled forces. Nothing too big... but enough for the task at hand surely. Smiling to Nicolas, Numenius was not comfortable amongst military personnel but he was willing to endure a lot of things for Nicolas and this was one of them.

"I take it this is the part where we stand around a map and look at the current array of troops and options?" he paused before adding, "I apologise - my military experience is limited to holovids."

@Deviant

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

Commander Nadina looked to Numenius, completely stoic and expressionless. As a member of the mercenary army of the Trade Guild and Brentaal, it was clear she wasn’t paid for her camaraderie. She was a soldier at heart and in mind. Already, Nicolás could tell the woman was not too fond of the two men, or at least Senator Pax. He was a pacifist, idealist and a bureaucrat. Of course she wouldn’t like him, despite initial pleasantries. After all, this was war. Regardless, Senator Cormond cleared his throat as an awkward tension set in, desperate to continue the discussion at hand. Today was the day he crushed whatever was left of his father’s assets before taking his place. Today was the day for triumph.

Shooting a reassuring smile to Numenius, the young man beckoned the Commander to continue. She nodded. “Alright.” With a click, the map tightened and focused on a particular area, beyond the encampment of their forces. A holographic outline of Ergo’s facility leapt into view. “This is the Redoubt, a stronghold established by the first colonists a century ago and converted into House Cormond’s new residence. Carved into the side of a mountain and at a slight elevation, the Redoubt has proven to be a tough nut to crack.”

She gestured to the top of the mountain, enlarging several cannons atop. “Anti-air turrets at the top of the ridge prevent us from bombing them into submission.” The map highlighted several shelters also embedded in the cliffside, one on each side. “Armored bunkers with automatic turrets guard both flanks of the Redoubt, which are its weakest points. Last week, we attempted to break through the west side but sustained heavy casualties. Ergo has made certain that the only means of entry is the main gate.” She pointed to the central opening, a vast durasteel sliding door with watch towers on each side. Then, with the wave of her hand, the Commander highlighted the guards. “Reconnaissance reports at least two hundred trained mercenaries, with two dozen always manning the wall. A small force, but more than enough for the Redoubt.”

Nicolás nodded in turn. They were in a tight spot, and he was on a tight schedule. They needed to chalk up a plan fast. An instant later, the Senator began his own round of questions, hoping to begin the next assault within the day. “We have several ships at our disposal. Starfighters, bombers. Couldn’t we bomb or shell the mountain peak, bury them alive? Little casualties, total success.” The Commander raised a brow, but shook her head. “Already considered. As I said, anti-air turrets at the top of the ridge prevent any air support whatsoever. As long as those turrets are active, this is strictly a ground assault.” The man sighed, uncertain, but rebounded. “You say they’re at the peak and the Redoubt’s weakest points are guarded by cliffside bunkers. Why not use have our fighters stay far below the peak and shell the bunkers, exposing their flanks for attack?”

Again, the Commander showed her interest in the plan, but also remained uncertain. “Clever. It could work, but it wouldn’t take their ground forces long to shoot them down on their own. I’m sure the bunkers could be destroyed by then, although we would lose some of our air support in the process.” The young man only nodded, knowing full well the consequences. He knew they would come a cost, but what more was there to do? Then again, Nicolás was not alone. A second later, he motioned Numenius to throw in his own two cents on the table. “Hm— Senator Pax, have any ideas of your own?”

Needless to say, Commander Nadina looked blank, remembering his earlier comment.

@Nefieslab

 

[Numenius Pax]

Did he have any ideas of his own?

Some.

The simple fact of the matter, as far as Numenius could tell, was that they were assaulting a rather well defended position and any of the suggested attacks could be countered effectively. So they either needed something that was too unexpected to counter or something that overwhelmed the defences in spite of any and all counters.

Hmm.

"In politics the easiest way to gain access to an enemy's secrets, to expose their weaknesses, is to pretend to be their friend." he reasoned with a frown, glancing at both Nadina and Nicolas with a sheepish smile, "Sorry... but how about this? We stage a break through our lines which allows 'allies' of the defenders to bring in food and other supplies, reinforcing them. The supplies can be laced with poisons and the 'allies' can throw open the gates at an agreed upon time. We would negate their defences."

He frowned before adding,

"Equally - battle is not politics so it may be impractical." he admitted before adding, "If we must engage through sheer force of arms then I would suggest we attack on all fronts simultaneously. Low-flying missions against the bunkers, a frontal assault and a flanking assault as well. I would recommend we perform the attack at dawn... after having a squad attempt a midnight raid on the air defence turrets. Turn them on the fortress if possible - destroy them if not."

Cheeks reddening, Numenius coughed a little bit,

"But, again, the opinion of an amateur I'm afraid."

@Deviant

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

Nicolás and the Commander both offered a look of surprise at his response. Not because the strategy he had in mind was wrong, but because it was right. Not amateurish, but brilliant. What he suggested was that their force unexpectedly scatter by a staged enemy attack and funneling in rigged supplies. The siege would be broken, though not the way the men inside the Redoubt would have thought. Given how long they were stuck within those ancient walls, battered by artillery shells and forced to endure meager conditions under diminishing pay as his father’s assets were frozen by the Trade Guild, they would immediately pounce on the idea of liberation, regardless of suspicion. A trojan horse, perhaps yet seen on a battle of this scale, or in Brentaal.

“Humble as always.” The young man said, smiling. He slapped Numenius’ shoulder, a pat on the back for appreciation. “If that was amateur, then you’ve put us all to shame.” The Commander nodded in agreement. The two had their heads too stuck in the idea of a battle, an epic clash between two opposing enemies. Vengeance, brute force. Instead, Senator Pax presented a far better idea, one that cost little to no casualties and would further isolate Nicolás’ father from his forces. Taking the Redoubt would be easy once the guards fell for the trojan horse. If they did, of course. There was still that underlying risk, but Senator Cormond was beyond confident it would succeed. He trusted Numenius, no matter what he said about himself. He knew he would be going places.

“No— wait.” Commander Nadine answered as the man brushed the first idea away in favor of an all-out attack, which again, was clever, though required a massive force. “Ergo Cormond does not know yet that the people of Brentaal have turned against him. We cut his communications the second he stepped into the Redoubt, so he may still believe any lingering allies in the Trade Guild are holding out for him.” Senator Cormond interjected, “Allies that no longer exist, thanks to Senator Pax.” He winked to Numenius, glad he had been with him on Brentaal every step of the way. The Commander nodded. “Yes, and while I’m sure Ergo would see right through it, his men must be tired and desperate. Under the right circumstances, they will open the gate easy, but we won’t have much time. They’ll realize soon enough, long before realize the food is poisoned.”

“Indeed.” Nicolás leaned over the table, eager. “Then I suppose we take Numenius’ first plan of action at dawn. Stage an attack, perhaps with the forces of a former friend to Ergo, and persuade the guards at the gate to open the doors.” He, along with almost everyone inside the war room, turned to the other Senator for confirmation. It was his idea. They wanted to know for certain if they could trust in it, even if Numenius had his own doubts about it. But Nicolás? He believed. He always did.

@Nefieslab

 

[Numenius Pax]

Huh.

Numenius blushed bright red when both the Commander and Nicolas looked at him like he had said something stupid. He very nearly apologised before Nicolas patted him on the back and the two of them agreed that the reason why they were looking at him like that was because they didn't agree with his statement that his plans might not work. It seemed that they both liked what he had suggested and had some measure of confidence in them.

Hence why Numenius' cheeks burned even brighter for a moment.

Reminders that Nicolas valued him and his opinions always made him feel a little bit self conscious because he was forever trying to be better. He coughed a little bit and tried to get his cheeks to stop being so Force-damned luminescent but it was just not happening for him today it would seem.

Numenius coughed and managed to get himself under control,

"If needs be I would be willing to go in with the group that hopes to persuade him to open the gates." he suggested with a small shrug, "I just want to make absolutely certain that the gates get opened and the best way to do that is to be there myself."

@Deviant

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

He wasn’t sure. Not of Numenius’ plan, which Nicolás was completely confident in. Rather, he was concerned about the other man throwing himself out on the line. The Senator believed in him, but he was afraid of losing what was gained. He loved him, and if the mission to infiltrate the Redoubt hit even the tiniest snag, it meant a risk and loss he couldn’t afford. Should Ergo catch on earlier than expected, Numenius and the gathered men would be sitting ducks right in front of their strongest defenses. Senator Cormond was willing to risk the mercenaries provided by the Guild, but not Senator Pax. Not for anything. Already, his hand reached out, wanting to wrap around the other man’s and urge him to stay. He didn’t want to lose him, not so soon. Still, what more could he do?

Nicolás couldn’t force him to stay, and Numenius had a point. His diplomatic and persuasive skill, coupled with that charming smile, may as well guarantee that the gates be opened. After all, who else would speak? A mercenary or former ally? Senator Pax was a rather unfamiliar face to Ergo and his men, and he was the best suited for this kind of mission, given he drummed it up in the first place. If he wanted to go so bad, then Nicolás wouldn’t demand he remain. Of course, he didn’t want him to go alone, or at least surrounded by random men. Which, admittedly, derived from a mix of concern and jealousy. Mostly concern. Because if Numenius was going out there to confront the bulk of his father’s force, vulnerable as he was, then so was he.

He interjected, “If you go, I go. No debate.” He was quick to the point, and his voice said that as much. Nicolás wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Especially when this was his mission, and the father inside that fortress was his own, he had a responsibility too. “I’ll blend in as one of the mercenaries, helmet and all. Just in case we do successfully slip in— and just in case we don’t.” The Commander arched a brow, surprised by both men’s eagerness yet again. She didn’t want either of the Senators to go out on a limb for this, but she didn’t exactly have the authority to make them stay. Plus, she was a little curious. “Alright,” she said, arms crossed. “Then it’s done. I’ll have our men and outside reinforcements stage a breakthrough at dawn.” The Commander turned away before adding, “Get some rest. It’s going to be a long day.”

Nicolás nodded and answered, “Sure,” before glancing over to Numenius, his implications clear.

End Thread.​