Partial Background
(Explaining 2 of the enemies)
The story of Lixin’s time at the Capella War College was that of the fierce rivalry between the scions of two powerful industrial families of the Confederation – Terrence Rivoli, son of Patrick Rivoli CEO of Ceres Metal Industries and Aaron Morgaine, favored nephew of Mandrissa Alana Morgaine, CEO of Hellespont Industrials. From the start these two competed to be the best, to be first in their class and receive entry into OCS because of it. There was a third in the running Li Mei, daughter of Li Chao-min, Mandrinn and author of Bloody but Unbowed: A History of House Liao. She was not expected to overtake the lead of the other two. Ultimately it came down to the final military exercise of the year, and it was here that the story would take an unexpected turn.
Each of the two men were responsible for leading opposing forces for the exercise with Li assigned as a subcommander under Morgaine. Rivoli used a daring strategy to bait Morgaine’s forces into a completely untenable position. It was a move that should have clinched the victory and coveted first in class position for him. Li consulted with Xiao about a daring plan to extract their forces from certain destruction or capture. The problem with the plan is that it would require the sacrifice of Xiao’s entire unit, long past the time it would be proper to surrender. Doing so would be best for the forces as a whole, but at great expense to Xiao and his men. Especially if the plan failed, their actions would be viewed as foolish. Even if successful, they would likely score poor marks for themselves as they would have died each and every one of them, and their selection for AIT could be in doubt, especially for the competitive programs. Xiao could see the wisdom though in the attempt. Sacrificing the few for the benefit of the many was appropriate. He assured Li he could convince his men to fight to the last man, despite it all.
Li came to Morgaine with her daring plan as things continued to worsen and in the chaos of the moment, she was ignored. Convinced her plan was the way to salvage the situation, she moved Xiao’s unit into position counting on him to be able to do what he said. Xiao spoke to his troops, reminding them of the principles that the Confederation was built on and inspiring them in a sacrifice for the state as he would gladly do with them. They threw themselves back into the fight with vigor and a ferocity that got Rivoli’s attention. Victory began to slip from his grasp and he responded in kind. Xiao’s unit began taking even heavier fire and the casualties mounted. The “injured” rather than retreat continued to hold their ground with Xiao at the front exhorting them to stand firm. Inevitably Xiao fell while a third of his forces still remained. At that critical moment, Xiao’s leadership and example held, and so did his troops. Rivoli ground them to dust, killing them all, but the damage was done. Not only had they bought time and exacted a heavy cost on the opposing forces they had reinvigorated their own. Morgaine’s forces won the day and with that he thought, the coveted designation of head of his class. Many including several of the evaluators and even a clearly unhappy Rivoli congratulated him on his victory and securing his class ranking. It was not to be.
When the full examination of the battle was made and Xiao’s role examined, he was eventually credited with being the key to the change in fortune when it became clear that Morgaine hadn’t order his actions. Xiao however disputed the credit. He demurred, pointing out that it was Li’s plan that was responsible. His troops simply lived the philosophies that the instructors had drilled into them for the last year. He was even “dead” before things had clearly swung against Rivoli. It was Li and his entire unit that should be celebrated for their bravery. He was but one of many. Surprised that in such a competitive environment someone wouldn’t claim the glory for themselves, the instructors accepted it. It was enough to push Li past both Rivoli and Morgaine to claim first in class and the coveted top spot in the OCS program. Each of the other two would attend as well, but the matter stung. Both men recognized that without Xiao convincing his troops to give their all and sacrificing his own grade as well, one of them would have finished on top.
What cemented their hatred of Xiao was the University’s recognition of him as upholding Confederation principles and his and his family’s service to the state prior to his attendance. He was to be gifted with a ‘Mech, but before they could explain further he shook his head and again demurred. He was honoroed, but committed to the Cavalry program and truly had not done enough to warrant such special consideration. It would also be unfair he felt to deprive a fellow cadet of their place within the Mechwarrior program after already having been accepted. He let them know he would complete a term of service to the state and then learn how to make use of the gift they were offering him. At that time he would be willing to accept it. Should he die in service, he would ask it be donated to his family. Neither man could speak out publicly against him without seeming mean spirited and petty. The future though. They would not forget.
Author
Topic: Hat's Character Creation - Shadow Lance (Read 1484 times)