BeyHop Chpt 65

==Beyond Hope- Chapter 65 - Prelude to the Storm==
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===Rudely Awaken===
Royal PalaceTharkad System, Federated Commonwealth (Lyran States)3065
"We aren't your enemies." The Demi-Precentor from the 222nd Comstar Division, garrison commander for the Kowloon HPG, sat across from Duchess Ngo. "I don't know why you insist on treating us like we are."
"History, Demi-Precentor," Liz told him. "You're an Earther. You ought to know that history goes a long way back, and it's still happening.” She nodded to the waitress, who picked up the menus and took their orders before Liz continued, "Terra backed the Rim Worlds when they stormed Kowloon. And it was Earther companies that bought Kowloonese for 'labor contracts' that were effectively slavery. It was an Earther who ordered the bombardment of Dinh Diep to silence our rightful request to be treated as human beings. It was an Earther who let Amaris in to the Hegemony, and it was Earthers who abandoned us with exodus… It was earthers who carried out Holy Shroud, too, for that matter and it was an Earther who ordered Scorpion."
“I’m not trying to deny the past. Those events were unfortunate. But I wasn’t born back then. All me and my Com Guards have done is our duty to protect the HPG of this world.”
"I have no problem with you protecting the Communications Ministry's property, Demi-Precentor. I have a problem with your intelligence agents creating problems in my territory."
“As I have tried to explain, the people responsible for that do not fall under my purview.”
“They had Com Guard equipment with Comstar serial numbers, Comstar Training, and Comstar backgrounds," she noted. "All I want, for the time being, is for you to exercise some discretion and make it clear that incidents off-campus will be handled by local laws, not special immunities."
“Tell me. Do you reprimand one of your Coast Guard Captains when one of your corporate spies does something reprehensible?”
"Generally, I don't let the corporate spy think he can get away with it in the first place. Six Com Guards were in the Vin Drin Lap armory when they weren't supposed to be. I'll keep holding them on suspicion until the case is done, and they'll be tried under local law. Technically, they're yours, and your boss at the HPG station has tried to threaten interdiction if I don't release them. Which is why we're having lunch, Demi-Precentor. Because you know how I handle things."
“All right. If they’re really mine I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
"That would go a considerable way toward easing other relations between us, Demi Precentor. My own dim view of Earthers is not universal, and I can still change my mind. All I'm asking is that you give me some hard evidence that changing my mind is worth it."
“If somebody is playing games with my troops, after everything we’ve been through, I’ll join you in jumping down their throats.”
"I won't have to jump, as you put it, if you do it for me," Liz noted. "The barbecue Brisket was a good choice. Mama Ji makes the best on the continent."
===How Wet I Am===
"I bring gifts." Morgan Icaza announced.
Evelynn cocked her head in the doorway. "Huh, come in, Morgan. You look the fool standing in the rain like that, and you'll catch your death of cold…" She stood aside as the Elemental Jade Falcon came in. "Did your lady-boss give you a ration of shit about coming down to the Lake?"
"Neg. Then again, we have been… discrete," he told her, placing the wrapped gift bottle on the table. "I doubt anyone, but Nathan Roshak even knows about this. At least, anyone who might actually care enough to take offense."
"That's gonna end soon, I imagine." 
"Agreed," he nodded. “For now, I intend to enjoy the moment, and this time with you.”
"Yes. Let's get you out of those wet clothes before you catch a chill." She licked a finger and drew it down his tunic. "Can't have you freezing to death."
Morgan picked Evvie up and carried her over to the fireplace.
“A moment.” Morgan grabbed a log to toss on the fire as he also took his shirt off. “Now I believe we were addressing how wet we are.”
"Soaked." she said.
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===Unusual Couple===
Ia Drang, KowloonFederated Commonwealth (Lyran State)3065
"You know that Evelynn's dating a Clanner?" Arthur observed.
"About time she dated someone," Liz answered idly. "There's nothing to worry about, Arthur. Evelynn's strong."
“I hope so. He’s almost twice her size,” Arthur mused.
Liz laughed, "Then he can reach the really HIGH shelf." She leaned in and kissed her husband. "The kids are at Nikki's," she told him.
“I believe that is my cue for the massage oil.”
"Smart man," she nodded. "I knew I was marrying the smart one."
“And I am the luckiest man alive.” Arthur took Liz’s hands in his own as he drew her in for a kiss. “Have I told you I love you yet today?”
"I can hear it all day. I love you too." She kissed him.
It was a good night.
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===What’s the worst that can happen?===
“Hauptmann, your injury is more significant than you let on. You have more significant nerve damage and back damage than you reported. You don’t have proper control of your legs and you’re going to need surgically implanted supports that will limit your flexibility. The treatments I have available for this will have you in a wheelchair for a year minimum with a very real possibility of the rest of your life,” Doctor Thompson of NAIS said.
“So I’m going to need someone to wipe my ass for me.” Sean looked at the floor.
“And help you bathe,” he continued.
“That’s the traditional route. What’s the alternative?” Sean asked.
“There’s an experimental program out at Kowloon. An Exoskeleton that will at least allow you to walk but you’ll still need the surgically implanted back supports until corrective surgery can fully repair your back. There’s also no guarantee it’ll prevent you from being medically discharged from the AFFC.”
“Kowloon? I’ve heard that name before, but where the hell is that?” Sean asked.
“Rather far away.”
“So how the hell am I supposed to get there?”
“There’s another project looking for human volunteers. It has moved into that stage of testing… If it works you’d only be a couple jumps away from Kowloon in practically no time.”
“****** it. I’ll be your guinea pig on both counts. What’s the worst that can happen?”
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