[center][b][color=Gray]I N T E R L U D E[/color][/b][/center] [b]Old Rose Hotel Former Headquarters of Aqua Vitae Corporation North Nui Awa March 25th, 3030[/b] There was never a time when the northern bank of the Tie Shan River was not picturesque. Stretching from the river itself out over hills to the mountains beyond, it was an explosion of painted eloquence all the way to the rocky horizon set in deep greens, tones of earth and on some occasions a whisping blanket of fog that moved so subtly, it looked as if it could be gathered in its excess to be given to some other world, perhaps where a creator had been less demure in their imagination. The view from North Nui Awa was particularly appealing, the city itself seemingly brushed into the landscape with centuries old architecture that was both tasteful, traditional- in the ancient Terran sense, and built to withstand generations of saltwater air. Within this enclave of spires, columns, archways and in many places, hand-placed stone cut by artisan engineers on the river bank centuries before, occupying a prominent bend in the river, was the “[i]Old Tower[/i]” or the [i]Rose Hotel[/i], the original home of what had started as a meeting place for some of Espia’s most opulent families that eventually became the Aqua Vitae Corporation. Over time as the business grew into an undeniable public utility, many in the company leadership moved to the modern construction of Balya Gora and a new tower near the spaceport that allowed for more direct oversight of the export of Neodymium from the mines- the true currency of Espia, and easier dealings with whatever of the Great Houses decided to plant their flag. However, a few remained behind and over the years, even fewer still as modernity encroached along with rest of the Inner Sphere, until only one remained; leaving the old boardroom, the penthouse executives’ level, the rich hardwood and the polished brass to the care and ownership of one Ms. Cassandra Jeong. Under her ownership part of the old hotel floors had been restored, reserved only for her personal guests, a posh restaurant and club occupied another floor while others hosted the local staff of AVC operations, rented spaces and a multitude of Cassandra’s other projects, most of which were overseen daily by people she had never met. When interviewed by the [i]RIver Gazette[/i], the local gossip column for both North and South Nui Awa, about her “waiting out” the other AVC board members to leave [i]the Rose[/i] to herself she simply tipped her sunglasses and replied: “[color=ed145b]Patience pays, darling. Maybe you’d like to move in? If you can afford the rent. Maybe if you write for me, we could work something out?[/color]” [center][img]https://render.fineartamerica.com/images/rendered/search/print/6/8/break/images/artworkimages/medium/2/chrysler-detail-chris-bliss.jpg[/img][/center] In that penthouse level, now Cassandra’s personal office suite, framed on two sides by the view of the Tie Shan River flowing into the distance, [i]patience did pay[/i], the same as it always had. However, the game was different now and different than the predecessors of her family had ever had to play. Of course the usuals, those lacking patience, or for that matter, [i]fortitude[/i] had already opened their bed covers for the self-styled “NPDRE” and their lackeys the, “Crimson Fists”. Even a casual mention of the over-the-top mercenary company name caused a nearly involuntary eye-roll for Cassandra. Never could she allow herself to be aligned with such a revolting lack of style. As for her counterparts, if they had only listened to her and pooled their resources, the same as the AVC had done for generations, they could have presented a united front and an absolute bargaining position, but alas, knowledge wasn’t generational and intelligence didn’t pass down through the bloodstream. As her father often remarked: [i]Wisdom doesn’t always come with age, sometimes dumb is forever[/i]. An aide brought her coffee. Like everyone else in the office, the young woman was impeccably dressed. She presented the cup, prepared in the exact way it was required every day, at the exact temperature and placed on Cassandra’s desk at the exact moment it was expected. Seeing no reaction from Cassandra, other than continuing to look down through her glasses at a magazine article, the girl knew the delivery was satisfactory and backed away slowly. Another aide slipped through the doorway behind her and the two nearly collided, both quickled looked back at Cassandra, mortified at their clumsiness, but thankfully received no reaction other than a turn of the page. The newer aide quickly recomposed herself as the former hastily departed. She was unaccustomed to working directly for Cassandra and for a brief moment studied the various framed photographs behind her employer, the largest of which was magazine cover, simply titled [i][b]SPHERE[/b][/i], featuring a dramatic wedding photo op of Melissa Steiner on her wedding day at Hilton Head Island. [center][img]https://i.ibb.co/kDtYQG1/22bb386967f0311e0504b854ae6efbf8.jpg[/img][/center] “[color=ed145b]Do you have something to tell me, Angela?[/color]” Cassandra asked, not looking up. “[color=ed145b]Or did you just come to breath in front of me?[/color]”. “[color=6ecff6]I… ah, uh-um. I’m sorry Ms. Jeong,[/color]” The girl stammered, but quickly shook her head to regain her focus. “[color=6ecff6]Mr. McCord reports that he’s in position.[/color]” Her tone clearly denoted that she had no idea as to the context of the message she was relaying, but seeing Cassandra look up somewhat piqued from her magazine seemed to indicate she was delivering good news. “[color=ed145b]Ah, delightful.[/color]” She turned in her chair and waved a hand towards two large monitors. Of the numerous pieces of posh furniture and decorum, the two large screens were the only slightly modern looking set pieces. Taking the cue, the aide switched the displays on. One was a live news broadcast of the fighting in Yuzhny Portveyn while the other was a calm display that looked almost like a targeting screen with the word [i][b]PASSIVE[/b][/i] blinking in a lower corner. From different angles, both seemed to be focused on Putski Sports Complex. The frantic report of a newscaster came up immediately as the sound came on. “[color=ed145b]Mute.[/color]” Cassandra said flatly. The aid silenced the display with one quick motion. The report continued with images of burning buildings and towering smoke plumes as laser and ballistics were traded in rapid pockmarks of light and fire against the ruined cityscape. A ticker scrolled along the bottom of the screen. “[color=ed145b]Darling, how far away are you now?[/color]” Cassandra asked aloud. She tilted her head slightly, gauging her own estimate on the scene. There was a small delay as the message and the reply moved across several secure AVC owned networks. A man’s voice answered with some static in the line: “[color=f26522]Two point three kilometers.[/color]” Prompt, exact answers to her questions were so satisfying, Cassandra thought to herself. She leaned in a bit resting her chin inquisitively in one upturned palm, looking over the utter chaos continuing to develop on both screens as if she were sizing up a finely tailored dress. “[color=ed145b]Do you foresee any difficulty in retrieving our objective?[/color]” “[color=f26522]Negative.[/color]” Cassandra began to speak, but the muted channel suddenly changed to a familiar visage, that of [i]former[/i] Governor Xiu. His voiceless lips moved with the typical haughtiness for which he was well known. “[color=ed145b]One moment, dear[/color]” She said aloud towards the disembodied radio voice, watching the other display once more. On screen the Capellan governor prattled on, clearly in distress. [color=ed145b][i]Volume…[/i][/color]” Cassandra groaned with annoyance. The aide quickly obeyed. [color=MediumSeaGreen]...Malenkov has told you his thugs would march into Yuzhny Portveyn and crush us under their heel, but the rightful government of Espia remains resolute! As their discipline collapses, I stand strong, ready as ever to serve the people whom I dearly love.[/color] Cassandra rolled her eyes. [color=MediumSeaGreen][i]The Espian Guard is falling back, half-starved and in disarray, thanks to the incompetence of their leaders, the corruption of their staff, and the cowardice of their soldiery. The only power they wield is intimidation, and when put to the test, they wither like dried leaves and scatter on the wind. Malenkov can bluster all he wants, but in the end, the true leaders of Espia will restore order, justice, and peace![/i][/color] The screen shook as the former Governor dove away and Cassandra thought she caught a glimpse of the explosion that struck near the building on the other live feed. The newscast was delayed several seconds behind. However, the image of the man that passed over the camera right before the broadcast was cut caused Cassandra’s whole countenance to drop in unbelieving surprise. Her hand fell on the hardwood desktop and her ringed fingers wrapped a sharp [i]thwack![/i] against the lacquered grain dishevelling some of the files and papers in front of her. The aide visibly jumped as if it were a rifle shot. Cassandra rubbed her fingers over her forehead and sighed with annoyance. “[color=ed145b]Impossibly stupid man.[/color]” She shook her head examining the two screens again briefly. “[color=ed145b][i]Well[/i], we must give Benjamin credit for loyalty…[/color]” She said, picking her phone up from the desk. Her fingers moved with exacting precision before putting the speaker to her ear, her face growing into a burgeoning scowl of annoyance around pursed lips. Her eyes cut over to the aide. “[color=ed145b]At least tell me that the helicopter is en route?[/color]” The girl fumbled quickly for her datapad again. Cassandra began hearing the line ring on the other side. She sat back in her chair, preparing to give one of her infamous scoldings. The fact the call was into a warzone and to a fellow counterpart on the AVC board of directors was irrelevant. “[color=6ecff6]The helicopter is-[/color]” The aide began to report, but stopped suddenly as one of the displays suddenly flashed with a massive explosion that engulfed what looked like the entire Putski Sports Complex. A shockwave shook the camera feed as a towering plume of rolling dirty-gray smoke began to blossom up from the ground. The call went to voicemail. Both sets of eyes shifted to the news broadcast almost simultaneously, anticipating the delay. The angle was better, much closer. The explosion erupted once again, leveling the main complex in a flash of fire. The camera cut to static and then to a shocked news anchor back at the studio who seemed to mirror Cassandra and her aide’s expression through the screen. “[color=ed145b]Mother of God…[/color]” The smoke column continued to rise on the other screen and Cassandra realized her mouth was slightly agape. From the phone in her hand, Benjamin Kahale’s voice informed her, through a crisp professional tone, that he would respond to his voicemail at his earliest convenience. She continued to watch for a moment as the reporters on screen scrambled to continue the broadcast however another message message broke through hijacking the broadcast: [hider=Declaration of the Heavenly Sword] [color=Chartreuse][i]PEOPLE OF ESPIA. YOU HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE TRUE AND RIGHTFUL RULERS OF THIS WORLD. YOU HAVE TURNED AWAY FROM THE WISDOM OF THE CELESTIAL THRONE. FOR THAT… …YOU ARE TO BE PUNISHED.[/i][/color] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/anXbqJ9m.jpg[/img][/center] [color=Chartreuse][i]THIS IS WHAT REMAINS OF THE HEADQUARTERS OF GOVERNOR XIU. OUR AGENTS HAVE STRUCK A RIGHTEOUS BLOW. XIU WAS WEAK. HE WAS INCOMPETENT. HE BETRAYED THE CELESTIAL THRONE. FOR THAT, GOVERNOR XIU IS DEAD. BENJAMIN KAHALE WAS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE AQUA VITAE CORPORATION. HE WAS A GREEDY, CORRUPT CAPITALIST WHO PROFITED FROM YOUR LABOR. FOR THAT, BENJAMIN KAHALE IS DEAD. CONSIDER THIS YOUR FIRST AND ONLY WARNING, PEOPLE OF ESPIA. YOU MUST REPENT YOUR SINFUL WAYS. THE NEW PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ESPIA IS A SHAM. THE CRIMSON FISTS ARE AGENTS OF A FALSE REGIME. THE FREE PEOPLE’S ARMY IS A CONGREGATION OF HERETICS. GAWAIN’S GREEN KNIGHTS ARE CAPITALIST SELL-SWORDS. UNTIL YOU REJECT THESE FALSE POWERS, AND RETURN TO THE LOVING EMBRACE OF THE CELESTIAL THRONE— [I]—THE ETERNAL WISDOM OF HOUSE LIAO—[/I] NONE OF YOU ARE SAFE. FROM THIS MOMENT ON, THE HEAVENLY SWORD WILL CUT YOU ALL DOWN.[/i][/color] [/hider] Cassandra looked over her desk slowly and took in a deep breath lacing her fingers together to gather her thoughts. Her eyes cut to a folder she had placed with a green tab among other fashion articles and gossip headlines from the Inner Sphere. She took another slow breath and let her shoulders relax, glancing over the office floor beyond her desk area. Her other staff continued on, undisturbed that there was a war on. Hands moved in conversations, phones rang, and the work continued. [color=ed145b][i]There wasn’t a single person on Espia that wouldn’t want to be in this building and in this room.[/i][/color] For some reason the thought, a statement that she regularly told her new hires, crossed her mind. “[color=ed145b]Call the helicopter back.[/color]” She said sternly. Her fingers wrapped another quick moment of contemplation on the desktop before she plucked the green-tabbed folder away from the others. She tucked it under one arm and began gathering her things together to leave the building. The aide seemed surprised and unsure what was happeneing Again, Cassandra looked back up at the one steady display. “[color=ed145b]Jonathan, I want you to meet me at the lake property tonight.[/color]” The voice on the other side of the transmission seemed to ignore the breach in protocol. With chaos that had just unfolded, it was doubtful that anyone was listening. “[color=f26522]Yes, ma’am.[/color]”