09/15/3064 17:32 Location – Ghost Island, Harminious, Magistracy of Canopus
Arthur Steiner-Davion worked his way through an obstacle course, the heat and humidity of this jungle island as well as his desire to mess with Erdé had resulted in him doing it bare-chested to show off his tan. She watched from the little observation post as he vaulted walls, crawled through muddy tubes with pinching insects in them, climbed the cargo net, and swam across the water hazard that Erdé swore didn't have sharks in it. This course was far more challenging that that of the Robinson Battle Academy's or was it that he was still recovering from his injuries, no definitely tougher.
She was there at the finish line, her caramel skin and dancer's body flattered by a turquoise short sleeved top and tan pants with a camouflage boonie hat on covering her short black hair, handing him a water bottle, he was tempted to hug her and get her all wet and muddy just because he could but decided against it and drank from the offered bottle. Erdé avoided looking at him instead paying attention to her comm-pad linked to his bio-chip, “Very impressive Arthur, I wasn't sure you were in the condition to complete that course. I kept the rescue squad on standby.”
“Thank you for your confidence Commander Centrella. What's your course time?”
“I've never done this course, it is one of the more difficult ones in the MAF. I'm a doctor remember? Some of the commandos didn't think you could do it either but you showed them. There was even a pool.”
“I'd love to see what the most difficult course is. Ziplining over a magma field naked while real bullets are being fired around you, something like that. Do I win anything for completing the course.”
“I think it is in space actually. Something about if you fail you don't get another chance to try. You'll have to talk to Angeles he was the ring master.”
“I will have to face him down on the court later. Are we done for today Erdé.”
She put the comm-pad back in the large pocket down the leg of her pants, “I suppose we are, back to the main complex for a shower and set of new clothes for you. I will even clear you for duty, there is some more work to do but you're healthy and I don't believe you require my assistance as a doctor.”
“You are a great doctor Erdé, thank you for all of your hard work and tough love.”
“I did try to make this miserable for you initially that was petty of me and I apologize. I was just really angry at my mother for leaving me here.”
“Do you even know if your mother is going to come back?”
“She'd better, she owes me a vacation.”
Arthur offered his arm to her, “Well we should start now, this place used to be a vacation health spa. We can start with dinner after I clean up.” Erdé looked at him curious, “Really?”
“Well Dr Centrella since I no longer require your assistance as a physician perhaps you wouldn't mind being my date instead, can't be unprofessional if I am no longer a patient.”
“I'm certain there is no ethics board to threaten my license on this planet considering the business they do here and I suppose I have nothing else to do tonight. I accept your kind offer Prince Arthur.”
“Fantastic” She took his arm but forgot that he was still muddy until he pulled her close and dirtied the side of her outfit. “I should have known this was some kind of truck! Now I have to change too.”
“Oh, terribly sorry senhorita. I'm afraid I don't have a diverse wardrobe so you will have to find something in tan or green so that we match for our date.” She gave him a stern look but the damage was done, they continued back to the building splitting up shortly before coming within sight of it.
09/18/3064 21:07
Erdé and Arthur had spent the last few days “vacationing” around the island, it was a scenic place unspoiled by development except within the base's grounds. Today Arthur had “requisitioned” the use of a dune buggy so they could get around and to see whether or not he remembered how to drive. Several intentional near misses forced Erdé to grab the bars with white knuckles but they were not in any danger. They had driven to the far side of the island and were watching shooting stars, listening to a crackling fire on the beach, while the ocean breeze blew gently over them as they sat next to one another in the dune buggy's bed.
“This is really nice Arthur, Danai and I used to watch the stars around Canopus when we were kids, I really miss her I haven't really looked at them since then. I still can't believe my mother let these Smoke Jaguars live within the Magistracy I don't know what I would have done but I have a really hard time forgiving their many sins against the Inner Sphere.”
“If it wasn't for those Jaguars I would be sixty percent cyborg instead of what twenty percent? Maybe your mother just saw an opportunity to save more people with their technology than they killed with it. You've seen their tech up close, it can almost work miracles think of all the good it could do.”
“It's sixteen percent actually, I don't know. I want to believe that they can do good with it but I just can't hide the ugly truth that I may never forgive them. Your brother died on Strana Mechty too. How did you deal with it?”
“I never really knew the man, my brother Victor grew up almost entirely in the Lyran Commonwealth, him and Peter were hardly around or sent anything other than birthday cards. Victor was only on New Avalon for a year or two, he was always on the move, on campaign. Peter went missing so quickly after our mother's death, I only remember him as the serious older brother at Castle Davion that Katherine enjoyed teasing before he went to boarding school. Only my sisters ever paid much attention to me, my little sister Yvonne and I were inseparable until my dad died,” he put his head in his hands and cried, “then I just couldn't bear to stay on New Avalon anymore and I left her all alone. I'm so sorry Yvonne I should have stayed, maybe things could have been different. Victor should have let you go to Tharkad to be with Katherine. You were always so sweet I couldn't bear to face the fact that I've wronged you so, that's why I stayed away.”
She grabbed him and held him close both of them crying over lost loved ones, “You have a second chance Arthur, make the best of it regardless of what happens.”
09/21/3064 08:47
Erdé and Arthur were both sleeping on the couch looking out over the ocean, the ashes of a campfire occupied the ring on the beach, the breezy bamboo bungalow had soft white linen sheets hanging over the elevated deck. She was still clothed when she woke up next to Arthur also still clothed though his shirt was open exposing his chest hair, her head cradled in his strong arms. Months of personal training, nutrition, and chemical growth factors had given him an even tone and special attention made the cloned limbs look just as natural as the original. She looked over and saw he was still asleep and attempted to free herself but he wouldn't let her go. “Really!?”
He was groggy and looked back at her, “I guess we had a really good time last night. Don't remember much, something about a fire on the beach and perhaps to many drinks.”
“Are you going to let me go?”
“I don't know. Are you sure you want me to?” She thought about it for a moment. She had hung on his every word while had explained how he wanted to be a good Prince that would help the citizens of the Federated Suns and the whole Inner Sphere his passion, rhetoric, and sense of duty appealed to her. Arthur wasn't some warlord in the making that was going to bathe the Inner Sphere in fire like his Father and they had shared their innermost secrets with one another for the past week since they had stopped having a professional relationship.
He was bronzed and fit his red hair cut short, far more handsome than when she first saw his pale and sickly form on the basketball court. All around a very charming and handsome Prince, but she really needed to go to the bathroom. “For now at least.”
He let go of her and they did their business, both of them had taken over this empty building for the past few days while awaiting additional orders and transport, there were plenty of actual vacation resorts on the planet but they only had a small boat and there was no way they could reach them without aircraft or shuttles.
They had attempted to cook in the small kitchenette rather than walk far to the main mess hall and it had failed miserably but always in laughter, they continued to try regardless just for amusement value. Now changed and walking to the mess hall after another dramatic failure that had nearly resulting in the kitchen catching on fire, they ate breakfast and walked back,
“So what do we have planned for today?”
“Catamaran”
“What is a Catamaran?”
“It's a small two hulled sailboat with...basically a hammock in between.”
“I'm afraid I don't know how to sail. There are not many Yacht clubs on Robinson.”
“Just do what I tell you when I tell you to.”
“I'm picking up a common theme.”
“You should to be used to it by now.”
“It was very painful otherwise.”
She turned toward him with an entrancing gesture walking backwards until she was up against a tree, “I'll make it up to you...I promise”
Following with the act Arthur acted spellbound until they were intimately close. They exchanged a kiss so fierce and powerful that it knocked the breath out of her as she was pushed into the tree, “Do tell me more,” more kisses, “however you desire,” more kisses, “as long as you require”
After their short but intense make-out session both of them rushed to grab their camping bag and cooler then boarded a small catamaran. Erdé's beauty in her string bikini with a gossamer thin cover distracting Arthur whenever he looked back at the rudder, Arthur was wearing board shorts and a loose striped top manning the deck and doing her bidding.
“That is just not fair Erdé. How can I pay attention to your calls when you look like that?”
“Well unless you want to get lost at sea you will just have to get used to it.”
“I can definitely get used to it, will never stop being distracted though.”
They sailed for one of the small islands that was near the facility but beyond prying eyes, the anchorage was calm and they disembarked to walk around the island until they found a nice campsite near the boat. Both of them had spent nearly every day of the past week on a camping excursion so it was swiftly ready for both of them. They shared a bottle of wine and their prepacked dinners before heading back into the tent where only a dim light shone over their naked bodies.
She worked her fingers down his chest tenderly, “You know this might be our final night together, who knows when my mother will return.”
He caressed her lower back in return working his way down, “Hopefully she's delayed, I might need more personal attention, my heart might burst, I almost died you know, don't want to take any chances.”
“I'll be sure to give you extra special attention Arthur, but I want you to give me something in return.”
“What is it?”
“Your heart...forever.”
“They can always clone me another one but this one is yours, Erdé Centrella”
The light dimmed to darkness as sparks flew from the campfire outside and within, shooting stars and the tides came and went before a small motor could be heard approaching.
09/22/3064 07:19
Emma Centrella walked off the small boat that had arrived from Ghost Island that morning. Wearing a colorful bikini top and sarong, her custom fitted sandals crunching the sand beneath them, still looking magnificent for 56.
“You say he's over here Andres?” She walked up the small inlet and saw the remains of a campfire and a pitched tent nearby.
“I better wait, it would embarrassing for me to walk in on her again. It would be the fifth time.”
“Sixth time your Radiance.”
“That's right the girl from the coffee shop! Poor girl, Erdé walked another two blocks for three months to save her from the embarrassment. Don't know why, she was rather pretty. Bring my chair.”
Arthur was first to emerge about an hour later naked, he cleared his eyes and looked out to see Magestrix Emma Centrella sitting in a teal backed beach chair filing her nails using an emery board. She looked up momentarily, “Good morning Arthur.”
He was dumbstruck, “Magestrix Centrella?”
Still hardly looked up, “Yes”
He walked over toward her but she was still looking at her red fingernails, “What are you doing here?”
“I was making sure my daughter and you were fine. Tracking chip, we will of course take it out. I try not to snoop if I can help it but you were very expensive and I didn't want to lose track of you.”
“You put a tracking chip in me?”
“Yes, like I said very expensive, worthwhile of course. I trust you found my daughter's company enjoyable.”
“I did, she is very special.”
“She has a big heart and wants to make a difference in the world, I'm afraid she won't be a good Magestrix though, the choices I make are...difficult at times as you well know, Almost First Prince. You can stay in the Magistracy as long as you desire. I'm not going to pressure you into doing anything, just a loving mother doing the best she can. I assure you that even if we had the technology to use you in some malicious manner I would refuse to, it's not my way.”
“What if I still don't trust your intentions.”
“I would consider that prudent. You don't know me, I hardly know you. You weren't exactly talking when I saw you last but everyone I spoke to last night said both of you got along perfectly. You can stay with her, come with me to Luxen, or go back to New Avalon if you wish. I'm sure your sisters would be surprised by your sudden return.”
“I don't know if I'm ready to face them yet. I want to figure some things out before I see them again.”
She looked up at him hardly noticing his nudity as she got up from her chair, “Like I said, the Magistracy of Canopus is well known for it's hospitality. Even now I host thirty million refugees from the Aurigan Coalition, dreadful plague, you are unlikely to have heard about it on Robinson. Pirates assail us from all sides, the Free Worlds League, and Marian Hegemony grow in strength. Each year new threats multiply and adapt. I have thrown my lot behind Sun-Tzu for protection and because Naomi loves him but I hedge my bets. There is too much at stake for me to not be ever vigilant for opportunities and plan accordingly. I want peace in our time, at least for the Magistracy if I can do it elsewhere I will try. That is my top goal and think it is a worthy one.”
Erdé opened the tent also naked but her hair was in her face, “Who are you talking to Arthur?” She brushed it aside and went instantly red, “Mother! Why do you always show up at the worst times?!”
“I'm just having a chat with your boyfriend here.” She dodged a weakly thrown sandal as another hit Arthur in the back, Emma hid behind him, “Perhaps I should leave, just bring my chair back please.” Emma peeked out from behind Arthur and shouted toward Erdé, “Ciao darling, mommy will see you soon.” She quickly returned to the motorboat and departed before Erdé could throw something really damaging at her besides strings of insults in six languages.