Chapter 10 - A Titanic Mandate
In reply to Billy Laser Fist (msg # 988):
"A single Roshak will elicit a measured response," Hadrian says. "The absence of a Roshak ship in local airspace means the panic levels will be more muted than you'd otherwise expect. You would almost certainly draw out 2-4 mechs with such a tactic, however."
He turns toward Abe.
"What will your team be doing?"
"My team?" Abe replies, frowning slightly. "We will be collecting evidence and wielding influence. There are many who could be turned if they knew the truth. An insurrection here would play to our strengths."
"What about the fleet?" Huck asks. "If their discipline shatters, the Roshak ships might get through before we have a chance to explain what's what."
"I'm confident the fleet will hold the line against the larger threat, and put its faith in Apex to handle anything unfolding planetside," Abe says. "Our goal is to make that faith...misplaced."
"So, uh, ok. Hear me out," Bradford says. "Given a choice between, er, being arrested and, um, letting Titan and the sector itself fall to the Roshak, what, uh, what do you think Apex would choose? How much, uh, collateral damage would she be willing to inflict?"
Hadrian and Abe exchange glasses.
"...that's a very good question," Hadrian says at last. "I'm not entirely certain."