CS3056-24

=Chapter 24= 
==Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War==
Prologue, Book 2, The Hammer Falls
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“People often ask me, “Why did I leave it all behind?” Simple, Galen. He’s been a rock for me when I needed it during the worst of the war. And after, when the normal pressures of life can get to be too much, he is there. I get to stand on my own and often go by just Katherine Cox, rather than on my parents, or my brother (The publisher was rather insistent on the full name for the book, not even my brother nor my husband could sway him). Not to say they haven’t been helpful, but I gotta be honest, it’s fun being a philanthropist, author, and mom. Well, except for the deadlines. They still suck, but not as bad as the war. Nothing was as bad as that. Thank god for Galen, and yes, Omi. I owe my life and continued sanity to those two.”
: It's Not All Fairy Tales – The Life and Times of a Cracked Princess by Katherine Cox-Steiner Davion, Tharkad Press, Tharkad, 3084
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===Conversation with Galen Cox===
Acting Archon-Princess’s Private Quarters
New Avalon
Federated Commonwealth
October 30th, 3056
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At least we have a date for the funeral. Now if the bureaucrats would just make it happen instead of worrying about my signature on permit applications for the Heavy Guards to march down Davion Avenue in the procession. It’s not the first group of battlemechs to do that! The things those idiots concern themselves with. We’re at war on two fronts, our people are scared and feeling the pinch of wartime rationing, and they want to make sure the forms are in triplicate. Ugh! Mom, Dad? How in the hell did you guys deal with this?
Katherine Morgan Steiner-Davion had had better days. She’d taken to dressing casual around the palace. Contrary to her “media darling” personality with her being seen wearing the finest labels in the Commonwealth, she really did like being more of a “jeans and t-shirt gal”. It was also easier to curl up in after a bad day. And god knows, I had plenty of those growing up. I know you and Mom tried, Dad. I am just scared, what I am doing, what I MUST do, it’s going to bring those feelings back. Make me into another Claudius. I cannot let that happen. For the good of our people, I must not.
It was then her reverie was interrupted by a knock at the door. “Your Highness, Kommandant Cox is here to see you.” Galen, here? At a time like this, and I am a mess, hair not done, the bags under my eyes have bags for heaven’s sake. And I am wearing a ratty old t-shirt and jeans that make me look like a college student. Then again, I am not THAT far out of college. Ah, what the hell, if he doesn’t run, it will be a good test to see how he really feels?
“Send him in, Hauptmann, and do not disturb us.”
“Yes, your Highness.”
The door opened, and Galen entered, he was resplendent in a AFFC dress uniform, that was only marred by his right arm in a sling. The uniform itself was immaculate, the shine of the brass practically blinded an onlooker and the boots, well one could see their reflection in his boots. And Katherine could detect a whiff of Old Spice Tharkad in the air. Galen, really? Old Spice? You don’t have a lot of experience with women, do you? To round out the picture, he had a bouquet in his good hand of blue Mycosia flowers. Perhaps my initial assessment was a bit hasty, Galen, you asked my brother about me. Extra points there. Katherine could not help but smile, it was a crooked one, but it was full of mirth nonetheless.
Galen exhaled, and smiled “Um, hi..I was in the neighborhood you see, and these flowers, well they just..”
Katherine barked a laugh “Um, Galen. I already like, like you. Drop the pretense, okay? I mean look at me? I’m hideous. If the scandalsheets saw me now?”
“Then you’re lucky. If I can get away with decking the heir to the throne, then what’s a few paparazzi?” he responded
“Other than we’re supposedly a civilized nation, not the Clans and you can’t do that when the whim strikes you, Galen.” Katherine smiled. As much as I love my big brother, I would have loved to have been on Trellwan for that. Victor can stand to learn not to be ready to be such a damn martyr. What the hell was he thinking, staying behind? I never did talk about that with him..when he wakes up..if he wakes up. Katherine frowned at the thought, then sat down on a nearby setee with a loud thump.
Galen grabbed a nearby chair and sat near her. “Katherine, what’s wrong?”
Katherine exhaled “I am a fraud, Galen. A damned fraud. I’m crazy, certifiable. Diagnosed with Dombrowski A Depressive Disorder, a textbook case and a well known scourge of the Steiner line. I am holding it together by wanting to be more than a shell-shocked little girl whose father and mother were willing to do anything to help me. Even if it hurt like hell. It hurt my Dad the worst, Galen. I remember after one bad seizure when I was 13, they didn’t think I would come out of it. I did..but it was ugly. Dad was distraught. He bawled like a baby, then punched a hole in the wall right over there.” Katherine chuckled, as she pointed at a point on the far wall, which Galen noticed was a slightly different shade of paint from the rest of the wall “Broke his hand, as it turns out he hit a wall stud. Oh, Galen, you can do better than me.” 
Galen shook his head. “Katherine, stop. Just stop, OK? You are making the decisions that need to be made. You are doing a good job thus far. Victor would be proud of you. And, I knew about the Dombrowski A. Victor confided in me on Trellwan. You know, he thinks you’re smarter than he is. Always wanted to keep you on as an adviser on political matters. He also knew you didn’t want the throne.”
Katherine’s mouth dropped. “How did…he know? I never said that to anyone. I was afraid...”
“Of what folks might think?” Galen interjected. “Screw ‘em. Katherine. I like you because of you. All of you, yes, even the depression. Not many folks know this. I had a kid sister, she was depressed too, made it a project of mine to get one smile a day out of her. I would like to think I succeeded more times than I failed. But it didn’t matter in the end, she died along with my parents when Kurita destroyed our farm.”
“What was her name, Galen?”
“Chloe. Her name was Chloe. She was 9 and yeah, her and my parents are the reason I joined the AFFC. To get even with the bastards who did it. But as I discovered? We wind up doing a lot of the same things when we raid Combine and Capellan border worlds. Not out of malice, nope, just a lot of poor, innocent folks being in the wrong place, at the wrong time. It’s not nice, and it’s not right, but it happens. Nobody set out to kill them, but they’re dead nonetheless. And that’s what is eating at you. All those Capellan and Blakist terror attacks, no?”
“Yes, I know, I did the right thing. I set the right message. But I am ordering the deaths of people I have never met, only know from some briefing, or a list in my father’s mapcase. I should feel something, remorse, pity, something...” she told him.
“But you don’t feel anything?”
“No, I do. It’s rage. Rage that that bastard on Sian killed six thousand innocent people to get to my parents. Rage that he’s killing more of those innocents to prosecute a war he really cannot win. Rage I can’t stop the damn killing no matter what I do? Rage I am nothing but a fraud under it all, afraid every day I am going to make a bad call.”
Galen laughed. “Welcome to being the one in charge. All those feelings are normal. As for the son of a bitch of Sian, He will get his.” 
“Anything we do to him personally or those in his inner circle is justified. Do you think he gave one whit about the what, 10,000 plus innocents he’s already killed in terrorist attacks throughout the Capellan and Sarna Marches? Nope. I doubt it. And from what I read? Inner Sphere’s a better place without Kali Liao in it. Here we were, saving their ungrateful asses from the Clans, and he’s still upset over the 4th War. Putz. I suspect you and he might have worked out a diplomatic deal, if we could have trusted him to stick to the bargain. Too late for that now.”
“You think the Blakists maneuvered him into this?”
“Possible, Katherine, but does it matter? It takes two to tango, and he took up his role without a damn bit of hesitation.”
Katherine nodded, “So, do I ride the tiger too?”
“No Katherine, you bury your parents. You are binding your brother’s wounds, and as the media’s saying, be the ‘avenging child’ we need you to be.”
“It’s not really me you know?” she told Galen
“Then make you a deal, Your Highness.” Galen smiled “What do you say we agree whatever happens, however this all turns out, we promise one thing: To be real and honest with each other.”
Katherine nodded. “I’d like that, Galen. Frankly, it’s the most..attractive thing anyone has ever said to me.”
Galen turned red and coughed. “Um..”
“It’s a bit early for that, but just to let you know. Galen Cox, you owe me a date when this is all over and yes, I like you very much too.”
There was another knock at the door. “Your highness, I’m sorry, but there is an urgent message here from the Foreign Ministry. It’s being delivered by courier.”
Katherine went to the door and opened it. There stood her usual plain clothed detail, a courtier in court dress who had been the voice at the door. He wore a dapper courier with a metal briefcase. “Your Highness, this is your eyes only, I was told. I must ask that you clear the room of all but security personnel.” said the man with the briefcase.
“Kommandant Cox stays on my express order.” Katherine ordered
“I understand. But I will have to log it.” man told him.
“Do what you must, Agent-“ she asked
“Curatis, ma'am, Curatis” he told her
Curatis entered the room and placed the metal briefcase on a nearby table. He then placed his hand on a palm lock attached to the briefcase, and said aloud “Curatis 4552, priority message delivery for Acting Archon Princess 1102 Zulu, 102156.”
The briefcase snapped open without further comment, and inside was two sheets of paper, which Curatis handed to Katherine without ceremony.
Katherine skimmed them both, the first, had Katherine smiling, the second..her face drained of color. She handed them to Galen.
“Jesus, is this confirmed?” Galen inquired of Curatis.
“I can’t answer that, Kommandant Cox.” Curatis stated neutrally.
“Answer the man, Curatis.” she ordered
“Yes sir, both are as of a week ago.” Curatis said
“Jesus H. Almighty Christ. Well this is a whole new ball game.”
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===Flash Message - Unexpected Arrival & Plot===
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FLASH FLASH FLASH
FROM: MIIO STATION, EXTER, DRACONIS MARCH
TO: NCA NEW AVALON
TIMESTAMP: 1015560945Z
OMI KURITA IDENTIFIED ARRIVING TODAY ABOARD DCS WANAKAZE FROM LUTHIEN. IMMEDIATELY PROCEEDED TO PLANETARY NOBLE’S OFFICE WHERE SHE HAS ASKED FOR POLITICAL ASYLUM AND SAFE PASSAGE TO NEW AVALON. SHE HAS BEEN INFORMED AS TO THE CONDITION OF DURAN. RPT SHE HAS REQUESTED POLITICAL ASYLUM.
DURING HER DEBRIEF BY MIIO, OMI KURITA STATED THAT LUTHIEN WAS FALLING TO CLAN SMOKE JAGUAR AND THAT BLACK DRAGON SOCIETY HAS LAUNCHED A COUP AGAINST SURVIVING ELEMENTS OF THE KURITA FAMILY THAT MADE IT TO NEW SAMARKLAND. NEW COORDINATOR IS REPORTEDLY FRANKLIN SAKAMOTO, A ILLEGITIMATE SON OF THEODORE KURITA.
WILL CONTINUE TO OBSERVE AND REPORT.
FLASH FLASH FLASH
FLASH FLASH FLASH
FROM: MIIO STATION, ATREUS
TO: NCA NEW AVALON
TIMESTAMP: 1020560415Z
THERE HAS BEEN A COUP ON ATREUS AGAINST THOMAS MARIK. HE HAS BEEN CONFIRMED DEPOSED. FATE OF OTHER MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY UNKNOWN. CORRINE MARIK IS NOW THE NEW CAPTAIN-GENERAL. FIGHTING ON ATREUS REPORTEDLY HEAVY, UKNOWN AS TO UNITS INVOLVED. RUMORS OF WORD OF BLAKE INVOLVEMENT ARE RIFE AT THIS TIME.
WILL CONTINUE TO OBSERVE AND REPORT. ARE SUSPENDING ACTIONS AGAINST TARGET LIST AT THIS TIME TO PRESERVE OUR REMAINING ASSETS TO OBSERVE THE COUP.
FLASH FLASH FLASH
*; 
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Category:Clover Spear - The Story of the '56 War Chapters
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