TAZ21

==Chapter 21 - The Absolute Zero==
'LCN Buena Fleet Base 
Buena Star System
January, 3159 CE
"That's Manei Domini Tech alright, kid." Patrick Ngo was 'getting up there' in age, pushing well past eighty.  "Whoever he was before they did that to him, that person's gone.  Giao Pham and Mai Huyn tried to break their brainwashing and found out part of it involves actual brain surgery."
"Doctor Huyn, like, the Huyn Swab?"  Commander Martinez asked.
"The same. She delivered my mom, and she delivered me." Sharon said, "Family doctor, one of the most famous ones in the inner sphere...you're sure about it being irreversible, Uncle Pat?"
"Pretty damned sure. One of the real tragedies of the war even-we had to kill a lot of prisoners because they weren't safe to release and we didn't have anywhere to keep 'em.  We also didn't have the options you've got for NOT killing those Falcons-this guy's got deep implants, he'll be lucky if he dies from being disconnected."
Martinez looked ill, "Lucky?"
Sharon sighed, "Yeah, there are fates worse than death. Like permanent vegetative state, or alzheimer's.  Thanks Uncle, how's Stephen doing?"
"Next year, I swear your cousin's going to send her boy to Giap Island.  He's been getting into trouble in New Saigon and the discipline will do him good."
"Like it did for me?" she asked.
"Sharon, you were a holy terror but at least I know why.  I can't put it together about my Grandson.  His father wasn't like Hector."
"Maybe you should take him aside and make him stay a few weeks with the family in Hue." she suggested,  "He might pick up some black eyes, and a broken nose, but maybe it'll be good for him to deal with people who don't treat the last name like a damn talisman and could care less about the title. is Marjie going to take over when you finally retire or what?"
"You're supposed to take over, Sharon, it's your title!"
"I'm like Auntie Phan. I don't fit in that ducal seat." Sharon said, "Marjie's doing okay with the firm, right?"
"Yeah..."
"So make her take on some of the Ducal duties, and do it like you did when you put her in charge of the company-a piece at a time until she's carrying the whole thing!  She was always more like Grandma than I was, and that's what people back there need."
"You don't sound like you plan on coming back, Sharon."
"Maybe for visits, but no. I'm not, Is she ready if I abdicate?" Sharon asked, "Can she handle both jobs?"
He looked downcast.  "Yes." 
"Start getting my cousin used to the idea.  Serious here, dad. This isn't me throwing a tantrum, something big is going down. I'm on the front line and I honestly don't expect to survive the experience. You're getting too old and should be able to have some fun. So get Marjie ready to be the next Liz, while we're both still alive!"
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