clans that will be entirely redirected from Poldark to New Dublin, and the clans that will support the invasion of New Glasgow. I also know what percentage of our reserve war materials will be sent with each new invasion force.”
Kanpardi made a negative shake of his shoulder. “A detailed report is not required, Telour. I needed to be certain that you remembered the goals I have set for punishing the humans for their surprise attacks in our rear. The new invasions will demonstrate we have not been weakened, and that they will suffer for their mistaken strategy.”
He was careful to acknowledge Telour’s position as a high status warrior. “You have a right to speak to other clans of other tactics, but in the process, you have been less forceful in explaining the plan I proposed. You can confirm the wisdom of my selecting you as Til Gatrol, by presenting my plans to Gatlek Pendor directly, on Poldark.”
Kanpardi took satisfaction from the brief ripple of Telour’s lips, as he was forced to hold back his personal objections to the more conservative route chosen by his superior to punish humans. To be sent to Poldark, ordered to explain the plan to the third ranking Krall war leader of another major clan, the plan thus became Telour’s own benchmark for success in the minds of other clans.
Telour would be forced into support for his superior’s plans afterwards, because he would undermine himself if he continued to press for an alternative punishment for humanity. He had been lobbying for destroying one or more human Hub worlds. This would clearly be a redundant and inefficient action to take in the face of increased successful invasions. According to Kanpardi’s argument, the least punitive plan was the least wasteful for the Krall’s long-range goals and made the best use of all resources, until the previous war production levels were restored.
“I will organize my mission’s departure for daybreak tomorrow, my Tor."
He hoped for a half-day’s delay, to complete a discussion with Mordo clan’s leader, the clan affiliation of Gatlek Pendor. He wanted to set the stage in the Joint Council for possibly replacing Kanpardi in the near future, if he could plant the seeds now. It was not to be. Kanpardi was skilled at interclan politics and rivalry.
“That is not necessary. While I waited so long for you to arrive, I had ample time to arrange transport for you, as the commander of a hand of clanships. These will assure an aggressive penetration through Poldark’s space defenses. The commanders of each of the three other clanships under you are high status warriors, leaders that know of my plans. Any of them may serve as your alternate, if your ship, or some of theirs, are unfortunate targets of a successful human defense. You leave immediately.”
Kanpardi had arranged for enough redundancy in the mission that his message was sure to be delivered and obeyed, without allowing Telour an opportunity to scheme before leaving. The fact that Kanpardi appreciated Telour’s ability for subtlety and manipulation didn't mean that Kanpardi didn’t share that trait. It was how he rose to his current position, after all.
Telour ran with his waiting escort of crewmates to the tarmac, to take command of the small flotilla. He didn’t consciously think of the repercussions of what he planned, because he was so self-assured of the correctness and necessity of his decisions. There were less direct ways to take the place of your superior. Something besides political machinations or an arranged pretext for a justifiable death match challenge. Few Krall would consider this course honorable, Kanpardi among them. Fewer still had been selected by their superior exactly because they possessed such a mindset. Gatlek Pendor’s own ambitions would be the key.
****
“Chief, I want the Falcon to go with me to Poldark, but as a passive tow by the Mark. The White Out of our combined masses near a gas giant will be
Kanpardi made a negative shake of his shoulder. “A detailed report is not required, Telour. I needed to be certain that you remembered the goals I have set for punishing the humans for their surprise attacks in our rear. The new invasions will demonstrate we have not been weakened, and that they will suffer for their mistaken strategy.”
He was careful to acknowledge Telour’s position as a high status warrior. “You have a right to speak to other clans of other tactics, but in the process, you have been less forceful in explaining the plan I proposed. You can confirm the wisdom of my selecting you as Til Gatrol, by presenting my plans to Gatlek Pendor directly, on Poldark.”
Kanpardi took satisfaction from the brief ripple of Telour’s lips, as he was forced to hold back his personal objections to the more conservative route chosen by his superior to punish humans. To be sent to Poldark, ordered to explain the plan to the third ranking Krall war leader of another major clan, the plan thus became Telour’s own benchmark for success in the minds of other clans.
Telour would be forced into support for his superior’s plans afterwards, because he would undermine himself if he continued to press for an alternative punishment for humanity. He had been lobbying for destroying one or more human Hub worlds. This would clearly be a redundant and inefficient action to take in the face of increased successful invasions. According to Kanpardi’s argument, the least punitive plan was the least wasteful for the Krall’s long-range goals and made the best use of all resources, until the previous war production levels were restored.
“I will organize my mission’s departure for daybreak tomorrow, my Tor."
He hoped for a half-day’s delay, to complete a discussion with Mordo clan’s leader, the clan affiliation of Gatlek Pendor. He wanted to set the stage in the Joint Council for possibly replacing Kanpardi in the near future, if he could plant the seeds now. It was not to be. Kanpardi was skilled at interclan politics and rivalry.
“That is not necessary. While I waited so long for you to arrive, I had ample time to arrange transport for you, as the commander of a hand of clanships. These will assure an aggressive penetration through Poldark’s space defenses. The commanders of each of the three other clanships under you are high status warriors, leaders that know of my plans. Any of them may serve as your alternate, if your ship, or some of theirs, are unfortunate targets of a successful human defense. You leave immediately.”
Kanpardi had arranged for enough redundancy in the mission that his message was sure to be delivered and obeyed, without allowing Telour an opportunity to scheme before leaving. The fact that Kanpardi appreciated Telour’s ability for subtlety and manipulation didn't mean that Kanpardi didn’t share that trait. It was how he rose to his current position, after all.
Telour ran with his waiting escort of crewmates to the tarmac, to take command of the small flotilla. He didn’t consciously think of the repercussions of what he planned, because he was so self-assured of the correctness and necessity of his decisions. There were less direct ways to take the place of your superior. Something besides political machinations or an arranged pretext for a justifiable death match challenge. Few Krall would consider this course honorable, Kanpardi among them. Fewer still had been selected by their superior exactly because they possessed such a mindset. Gatlek Pendor’s own ambitions would be the key.
****
“Chief, I want the Falcon to go with me to Poldark, but as a passive tow by the Mark. The White Out of our combined masses near a gas giant will be
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