Nice capsule summaries.
Thank You Mike, Patrick Kell makes a surprising good talking ghost without that little Silver Eagle incident. Merc life is tough though, a couple of bad rolls on Tour of Duty:Merc will mess you up bad. It's all about using that wealth trait to deal with all your disadvantages.
The thing I like most about Battletech (besides giant stompy robots. There will be a Solaris fight in this story, teaser, for the action fans.) is that main characters exist before we see them. Also we all know Adam is a dirty screen looking cheatin' punk.
Back to the Story
Ian, Bishop, and Patrick walked through the door to the reception by Archon Emeritus Katrina and Duchess Nondi Steiner dressed in blue and silver, the dapper elder tycoon Jack Milby in a well made dark blue suit, their daughter Lisa Steiner II in her blue and white LCAF formal uniform, and a host of other aides. Katrina was looking shaky even using a cane and Nondi stood nearby, ready to provide support to her sister if needed. Both women looked haggard and far older than they truly were, a wheelchair was manned a short distance behind Katrina.
Nondi attempted to whisper,
“Katrina sit down,” but it was easily overheard. Katrina’s response was forceful,
“I will not greet Hanse Davion’s son in my wheelchair. I am not an invalid!” A hacking cough threatened to knock her over,
“at least not yet.” Greetings were exchanged and some of the aides departed to prepare for later.
“Patrick good to see you again. Ian, Bishop, a pleasure to meet you both.”Patrick took a step back allowing Ian and Bishop to be at the fore front,
“Good to see you as well Katrina, You look awful, I’m greatly concerned for your health.”“So is the entire Lyran Commonwealth. It only took me being at death’s door to finally get my daughter to the wedding altar. She’s just as headstrong as her mother I’m afraid. I should have locked her in a closet with Thomas years ago. I would be on my fifth grandchild by now if I had. Now I’ll be lucky to live past their honeymoon.”Katrina carefully maneuvered herself to face Ian,
“Apologies Little Fox. I am no longer the spirited young woman I once was nor am I still the Iron Lady of Tharkad that you've heard about. The burden of leadership is a heavy one that I regrettably had to pass on before I believed the bearer ready, if there is such a time. I am honored that you have decided to visit during such an eventful time in our history and to see me first.”Ian and Bishop both stepped forward toward the ailing woman and her still strong sister who gave them an annoyed look.
“You are truly your father’s son,” Katrina brushed her hand across Ian’s face patting it gently,
“and a handsome one at that. Pity that we couldn’t arrange a wedding between you and my Melissa, the political will was not something I could muster in the Estates General despite our common interests. You will make some other woman happy and every other one jealous one day I’m sure.”The compliment was flattering and Ian let it be seen,
“Thank you for your kind words Katrina. You are an inspiration in the Federated Suns and a beacon of hope to our people that we might finally live in the peace that has eluded for centuries. My sister and mother both look up at you with high esteem and wished to come, but we all have our own duty to attend to first. They send their well wishes and regrets.”Her eyes lit up, her mind still burning with drive even as her body was failing her, he could see small tears forming under the bright lights of the corridor,
“Thank you Ian that means more than you know. Please tell your family that I appreciate their continued support while we try to build a lasting peace. I apologize but I must sit down now.” Katrina sat back down wiping her face and holding her cane in front of her while seated. The man behind the wheelchair wrapped a woolen blanket over her shoulders.
“Walk with me, we shall go to Blacktree and then continue our conversation. I do actually want to spend some time with the children during their time here so I hope you don’t think it’s rude. You will have an uninterrupted audience in me when they depart. There's a train waiting for us right now and you will stay there for the few weeks before we finally head to Tharkad. Perhaps for my last time. Though I wish it weren’t so.”The wheelchair starting moving and Ian followed easily,
“Thank you once more for your generosity. I don’t think it’s rude at all, in fact I could use a break from them. I already had to spend a month on a drop-ship with them. A week of alone time might just be what I need to recharge and adjust to being so far from home for perhaps quite a long time.” Ian looked back for Patrick but he must have slipped out while he was talking with Katrina to join his sister’s family at the train.
The group walked through the terminal until they found the five car matte gray electric train with a bright blue stripe running along it. “
Gallery One” written in a bold Gothic font in English and German, the other aides were just finishing loading up their luggage and the Hounds and their pups were no where to be found. The techs and drop-ship crew would remain with their ship but would be given vouchers to cover their lodging, food, and drink in New Stockholm planetary script and allowed to do as they wished as long as the Valor could take off in three hours.
A richly attired conductor walked the platform ensuring all luggage and passengers were accounted for,
“All Aboard, next stop Blacktree Estate. Departing in...Ten minutes” The man checked the precision crafted retro pocket watch he used because Jack enjoyed the romance of rail travel so much. The man had even installed a real steam whistle even though on an electric train, an extravagant expense for a whistle that also made tea.