FRS Chpt 4

==Falcon Rising - Chapter 4 -==
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===Parting ways from Friends===
Date: 3049
Location: Unknown Star system, Deep Periphery
"Freebirth," Star Colonel Pryde inclined her head toward me as I was escorted through with the last of my personal effects, Gray following closely behind.
 
"Star Colonel," I greeted her. "Is there something I can help you with?" I asked.
 
"You appear on none of our nor the Manassas's records, explain," She arched an eyebrow at me.
 
"Lots of us weren't," I shrugged. "There were civilians on just about every ship that was a part of Kerensky's Exodus. You think there was any reliable way to keep track of all of us?" I laughed. "I was one of the few people willing to be aboard the Manassas that wasn't a glory hound or crazy, and look where that got me!" I spread my arms out at the farm around me. "Alone, on a farm in the middle of a planet that's been long lost to time."
 
"Hmmm," the lithe woman considered me for a moment. "That answer is satisfactory enough, I suppose. Now, you are my Bondsman, and as such, any of the actions that you undertake are a reflection upon me as your Bondholder," She continued her examination of me, her face twisting in dissatisfaction at the gray that lined portions of my beard and hair.
 
"You will correct your speech, or there will be consequences, and your grooming standards will not be allowed to slip so far as they are now," She turned her back on me. "See to it that your… Pet is kept away from my presence, or I will see to it that it is eliminated, Quiaff?"
 
"Got it," I nodded, taking her seriously. "Are there any other rules that I need to be aware of?"
 
"You will remain physically able or I will have you cast in with the Solahma," her eyes flickered to the gray in my hair and beard again. "Now go, and see what it is that the technicians will require of you once you have taken care of your appearance."
 
Inclining my head, I turned and walked off, a snap of my fingers calling Gray to follow as I watched a handful of people drive the remaining farming vehicles off of the Last of Us, loading up their Elementals and 'Mechs before the fusion torches ignited, killing the remaining dried and harvested crops in the process.
 
"And there goes the farm," I sighed. "May I tend to my farm one last time?" I asked a nearby Elemental. "I would rather not give the bears an easy feast."
 
The armored figure looked at me for a long moment before nodding.
"You may do so." he replied.
 
Making my way around, I opened the gates and allowed the few giant Elk I'd domesticated to roam free, the Octo-Wolves, however, refused to leave the perimeter, instead they attempted to herd the elk back into their pens.
 
"No," I knelt with the wolves, allowing them to surround me while the Elk slowly walked off. "They can be free. I was lavished with kisses before I stood up and told the dogs to go to their kennels where I poured out the feed I had set aside for the rest of the month.
 
"Gray!" I whistled, calling my favorite to my side. "You can stay here," I whispered, pointing to the pen and the cabin.
 
Then I turned and followed the Elemental to the nearby dropship where they'd landed, thinking I was alone until Gray came up to my side and licked my hand, letting me know she was there.
 
"I hope it is of use," the Elemental glanced at Gray."Otherwise, it will be your undoing."
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===Establishment of Procedures===
Location: Mech Bay
Freebirth," A voice snarled at me. "I am senior tech Jasper," A shorter tech gestured for me to follow him. "You must get fitted for a uniform and acquainted with Star Colonel Pryde's mech, Quiaff? Then, you will be shown where the laws that govern the Clans are."
 
"Aff?" I asked, repeating what memory and eavesdropping had told me to say. "I'm sorry, I'm still learning all of this newfangled language shit."
 
The Tech glared at me for my nonchalance before shaking his head and motioning for me to follow him, his glare extending to Gray who remained on my heels
 
"Your lack of respect will be your end should you not amend it," the tech sighed as he gestured to the repair gantries. "I will assume that you are not familiar with more than the basics, and as such, begin your instruction. You will do everything that you are told or I will ensure that you are dealt with harshly by the Star Colonel."
 
"Respectfully," I glared in response. "I spent nearly thirty-five years repairing my own shit. And if I read that right, it means that I have literally been doing 'Mech maintenance since before you were born."
 
"Be that as it may, you are still required to follow our established procedures," Jasper replied. "Now, I will instruct you on the proper way to begin swapping out the pods on an OmniMech.
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"You are capable," Jasper admitted begrudgingly after testing me. "You still have much to learn about Omnitech, but your knowledge in other areas will compensate greatly."
 
After that, the days passed with me learning how Omnimechs worked in detail, with Jasper walking me through setting up the connections and testing me on everything that he taught. Eventually, the group of Technicians grew accustomed to my presence. Understanding that Gray was always flanking me.
 
"It's a shame," I sighed and shrugged off the small glare I got at the contraction. "We had much better food on my farm, didn't we, Gray?" I scratched behind her ear. "The food prepared by the Clans just doesn't compare."
 
"We secured what food stores you left behind," Jasper looked at the food we were eating. "There was nothing exotic about them, all that was there were basic proteins, grains, and other nutrient-rich foods."
 
"You just don't get it," I chuckled wryly as I ate a spoonful of the tasteless soup. "Good food is more than basic sustenance. It is about connecting with others and bonding over a great experience. Give me two hours with some of my chicken and potatoes, maybe some spices. I'll have you a meal that you'd be drooling over," I exchanged glances with Gray as she gnawed at what was left of a steak bone.
 
"I shall take your word for it," Jasper finished his bowl before standing and bringing his bowl to the washing area where he quickly cleaned his eating utensils before sealing them in a bag that he carried with him. "Come, our sleep cycle will begin soon."
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===Shaping up as a Tech===
Jade Falcon Dropship, Theseus
As I trained on Theseus, Marthe Pryde's personal Omnimech, the months went by. With the trueborn Star Colonel occasionally coming and inspecting the work I was doing between combat sorties and moving from planet to planet.
"Theseus has been well maintained," Marth glanced at the Summoner in its bay. "I assume that he has adapted well Quiaff?"
"Aff," Jasper acknowledged before turning to me. "For an old man, he has learned well. I would recommend that he continue in combat training though, he has value in the Solahma if he should be unable to continue as a technician.
 
I scratched at my Bondcord absentmindedly as I looked at Theseus, the other hand scratching Gray's ear.
 
"I just do the work that I'm supposed to do to the best of my ability, no more, no less."
"Continue to perform such and you will find that your cord will be removed quickly." Marthe stated.
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===Who holds your Cord?===
"What is it that you are doing here, Bondsman?" A stocky brown-haired man with Star Commander pins on his collar asked as I climbed out of the sim pod. "Were you granted permission to utilize the training pods at this time?
 
"Neg," I replied as I pulled my technician's uniform back on. "I only have a few time slots in which I can train. So I take advantage of it when I can."
 
"There is scheduled time for the pods," the man stared intensely. "Seeing as you have failed to make yourself aware of such, minor surkai is owed. Should you ever wish your cord to be cut, you must show responsibility, for one without awareness cannot be trusted on the battlefield."
 
"I understand, Star Commander," I responded. "What would you have me do?"
 
"Run a maintenance cycle on the pods when I am finished," the man replied. "I will seek counsel with your Bondholder for your surkai."
 
I nodded and stood waiting until the Clan Mechwarrior left the pod, his training session now completed.
 
"Bondsman, who holds your cord?"
 
"Star Colonel Pryde," I leaned down and began running the standard maintenance on the pod.
"I shall consult with her," he redressed himself in his uniform. "Continue performing your assigned duties."
 
With a sharp turn, the Mechwarrior walked away, his heels driving into the deck.
 
"Always something, isn't it," I stroked Gray's ear. "I'll find time for us in the pod, just wait."
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