Did Tharkad even hear about attack on the Somerset?
That sure sounds like something that will get addressed later. So far nobody knows.
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10/03/3051Rachel and Adam strode through the gardens as Somerset’s axial tilt and weak primary combined to bring autumnal chill to Hollyfield and a change in wardrobe. Its orchards were now harvested, rotting fruit left to finish pigs that would become next season’s sausage.
“Adam, Katya and the others have been acting erratically.”
“I am aware but cannot do anything about it at the moment.”
“Why do you think they are behaving this way?”
“You wish to know my theories?”
“They don’t talk to me. I am just your ‘assistant’ after all.”He wrapped an arm around her,
“You are more than that and I am happy to have you here. You know that right?”She leaned into his warmth,
“I know, but it is still annoying.”
“Sorry Rach, it must be that way for now. Better they be surprised by what you can do.
I think the lack of structure is getting to them. From what I have gathered the Clan Warrior Caste are like the ancient Janissaries. They are trained from a young age with no expectation for a long or happy life or given knowledge of the greater world outside their combat role.”
“That sounds depressing.”
“I know and I think they are becoming aware of it without something else to focus on. The psychic harm is eating away at them. They are beginning to succumb to ennui the longer they are disconnected from their own people. Somerset just doesn’t have anything to offer them in its present state.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“I don’t think so, but I can only remain patient and vigilant.”10/11/3051Commotion rang out through the halls of Holly Field Haus as Adam and Rachel ran downstairs to find Katya holding a maid hostage with a knife surrounded by anxious staff. The women’s eyes were wide with fear while Katya’s hair and eyes were wild, black pinpricks drowning in a sea of blue.
Gustav and the others let Adam through the crowd which whispered that the Constables were en route,
“Katya what the hell are you doing!”Her voice came out even more unhinged than her appearance betrayed,
“She has taken the children!”Adam stood ahead and walked toward them,
“They are her children.”
“They are the Clan’s children.
My isorla.
I want to see them.”
“You requested they leave Katya.”
“I must know that they are safe.” Katya grasped the woman’s arm strongly,
“take me to them.”The women mouthed ‘help’ to Adam as he kept her attention while watching Racheal who was skulking her way through the crowd behind them.
“I think they are safer away from you Star Captain.
I do not know what demons haunt you, but they will not endanger the innocent people of Somerset. He got within arm’s reach,
“Put the knife down.”
“No! Get away from me!
You look down on me.
You think I do not know what you are doing! Who told you!”His palms were held up and voice soft,
“I don’t intend to do anything if you let Sanna go.
You are in some kind of distress Katya, make any other decision but that one.”Katya’s knife closed to her hostage before she turned it to point the blade toward him.
“This is all your…” She tensed up and fell into Adam’s arms, knife clattering to the floor as Rachel’s stun darts stuck into her back. He undid his belt and looped it around her elbows to restrain the deranged Clan Warrior as the Constables and other Adder Warriors arrived.
Adam stood firmly before the other MechWarriors,
“Star Captain Kerensky is ill. She needs rest, behind a locked door.”
“You dare to restrain our Star Captain! Your bondholder.”
“I dare. If you want to fight MechWarrior, then challenge me to a Trial.”
“You cannot be the subject of a Trial without the Star Captain’s approval Bondsman nor are we able to discipline you. We can only challenge Warriors,” They became aware of the Constables behind them,
“Others are to comply with our commands.”
“My bondholder seems to be incoherent at the moment.” Even though the darts were pulled out Katya lay semi-catatonic on the floor.
“She can punish me upon regaining her composure.”
“We expect she shall.” The Adders lifted Katya upon their shoulders as they unceremoniously carried her away and upstairs to her room.
Sanna shook and shivered despite encouraging words from her co-workers as Adam saw the Adders off who were followed by the Constables.
“I am very sorry Sanna. Take two weeks off to spend time with your family. I’ll try to keep Katya contained and ask Gustav to assign you to a less visible station for now.”
“Thank you, Lord Steiner, for helping me and your generosity.”He bent his thumb toward Rachel,
“It was all her. I was thinking of wrestling it away.”She turned to Rachel,
“Thank you Lieutenant Specter.”
“You’re welcome.” Rachel slotted another cartridge into the stun gun.
“Glad this little gadget has finally come in handy.”10/12/3051Holly Field Haus was still and silent, as usual was on a Sunday when only essential staff were present. The rest were enjoying a day that was shaping up to be beautiful, leaves were turning orange and brown while the sun sank lower each day. Adam walked within the Grand Room, boots clacking on stone tiles echoes dampened by recently installed tapestries which lent the chamber a smell of wool and the wooden chests they were stored in.
He paused before a great wooden door carved with images of vibrantly painted Griffins of myth upon it, sized to evoke a feeling worthy of the Archon’s Thorne Room on Tharkad when the Duchess was holding Grand Court rather than using the more modest Office or smaller Salon for business. They dated from the era of Cochren, the progenitor of House Borge-Steiner as a reminder of Somerset’s historical position as a March world meant to protect the Lyran Commonwealth from the Rim World’s Republic before it languished in that realm’s absence.
A large padlock barred the way, but he lifted an immense bronze key and unlocked it with a snap of both hands. Despite being well balanced the door’s wood had a heavy steel core leading as it did to Manor’s Southern Wing dominated by the Armory, Lockers, and Gym.
Her footfalls and shadow revealed her presence before Katya stood on the ornate rugs that protected the Armory’s floor from its weapons and vice versa. Adam polished a gilded bespoke reproduction of an ancient musket returning the stock’s ornate wood to its previous gleam. A weapon capable of downing boar if tales of his Granduncle Pete and the taxidermy plaque were to have been believed. Not that he had met the man that had cost his Grandmother her life and his son the Duchy of Somerset.
“Yes Katya.”Katya wrapped her hand around the hilt of a longsword,
“You have embarrassed me Bondsman.”Adam returned the musket to its mount above the mantle and came to stand beside a mannequin clad in gothic style half-plate,
“I saved my people, as is my duty.”She lingered for a moment,
“I will not forget this.”His eyes searched her posture for any movement that could reveal an attack.
“Then perhaps you are indeed capable of learning Clanswomen.”Her knuckles went white around the hilt,
“I find that suffering is a reliable tutor.”
“But one that frequently delivers the wrong lessons.”
“You would dismiss my suffering!” Her voice boomed through the armory. A primal scream from the deepest wells of emotion.
Adam remained steady,
“Quite the contrary Star Captain Katya Kerensky. I acknowledge it but believe you have wallowed in it so long you cannot see options that are obvious to those with clearer eyes.”
“You would seek to educate me then and clear my vision?”
“Has my Trial of Position finally arrived bondholder?” She nodded and Adam snapped the bondcord with a firm tug,
“If suffering is the only method to reach you. Well, it is a Professor’s job to speak their student’s language.” He removed his vest and rolled up his shirt sleeves,
“Un-augmented?” His hands wrapped around the hilt of a cavalry saber,
“or would you like to test a Steiner with live steel?”
