FRS Chpt 30

==Falcon Rising - Chapter 30 -==
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===Burden of Righting the Wrongs===
Date: February 10th, 3052Location: Steelton, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
Star Captain," Joanna Hazen raised an eyebrow at Star Captain Mark. "Why is a Star of my warriors in the brig?"
 
"Because they violated the instructions I gave them regarding the treatment of our new citizens." Mark replied. "If they desire to prove me wrong, we can step into a circle of equals. But I am not going to allow the abuse of anyone that was here before our occupation of this world."
 
He paused for a moment, his hand coming up to stroke his beard for a moment before he leaned forward in his chair.
 
"Barring those who are acting as insurgents, that is," he continued. "If we do not punish those who violate our own laws regarding the treatment of the new members of our Clan, then they will revolt or worse."
 
Joanna sighed and massaged her temples for a minute before responding.
 
"I reviewed the material that you provided to me and the Galaxy Commander," Joanna tapped one of the books he'd given her. "You are certain that if we do not adapt in this way, our occupation will have problems?"
 
"Yes," he replied. "And the Wolves have proven that this works. After all, they do not have the same issues with their occupation that we have faced."
 
"With the announcement of the Khan's death, our practices may be reevaluated," Joanna said. "I expect that many things will change depending on who becomes saKhan."
 
"Who knows?" Mark shrugged. "There are many things that might or might not happen, but that is all something we can discuss later. We need to work on what to do with the Star immediately.'
 
"I approve of your decision," she tapped the desk for a moment. "But be aware that as you continue to discipline them, they may also attempt to challenge you to a Trial of Grievance."
 
"Should it come to that, I will handle it," Mark leaned back in his chair and sighed. "I wish that they were willing to listen, but I will do what I must.
 
Joanna folded her arms and went silent momentarily before finally speaking again.
 
"You are dismissed, Star Captain." She smirked. "Try not to throw more of our warriors into the brig. I have a feeling that we will need them soon."
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===Paying the Price of One's victory===
Date: April 2th, 3053Location: Sudeten, Jade Falcon Occupation Zone
Aidan Pryde had worked hard for this. He had spent weeks persuading his fellow warriors to endorse him for saKhan so that he could have this chance to prove that he was capable of more than merely leading a Galaxy.
 
He had turned a dezgra unit into a successful force. Now, he would seek to prepare the Clan for the changes to come. Everyone knew that change was necessary, and if the Diamond Sharks could change their Clan's Totem from the Sea Fox to the Diamond Sharks and adapt, then Clan Jade Falcon could push even further than that.
 
Everything he had sacrificed, everything he had done, led to this moment in time. His Timber Wolf stood across from Galaxy Commander Samantha Clees's Summoner.
 
The Circle of Equals was set, and the Loremaster spoke and called for silence before establishing what was to happen next.
 
The silence was heavy; the 'mechs stood still as if they were, but mere statues and everything waited for the first warrior to move.
 
But these two, they were patient. Samantha had proven herself as a capable warrior and strategist over the decades, and Aidan had done the same. They had both been chosen for their potential; for the future, they could lead the Clan into a given time, but now was not the time for words.
 
With a split second, Aidan shifted, his Timber Wolf flying to the side on bursts of plasma while his lasers carved away at his opponent's Summoner.
 
But there was no conversation, no taunting. These two had no need for that. They had already proven themselves to their peers and others. No, this was simply to establish dominance and who would take the position. The winner would take the position, and the loser would retain the command they already possessed.
 
But Samantha was no pushover, and while the lasers impacted, she was already shifting to minimize the damage as twenty missiles fired over her shoulder, three-quarters of the missiles rocking Aidan's 'mech back with the explosions.
The two circled each other, Aidan hitting her with a few missiles of his own before an autocannon stripped the armor off of his left arm.
 
They continued, each maneuvering to minimize damage over time as they whittled away at each other until finally, Samantha got a lucky hit with an autocannon; the burst of gunfire ripped one of his missile launchers off and sent Aidan nearly into the ground.
 
But he recovered, and his remaining lasers and missiles punched through her left torso, exposing the reactor for a brief moment. Samantha turned and shielded that side of her 'Mech, her jump jets removing her from more fire.
 
But Aidan tracked her, and as she landed, he targeted her legs, sending the omnimech crashing face-first into the ground.
 
The silence reigned once more as they waited for Samana's Summoner to move. But after several moments, nothing happened.
 
Aidan had won, but Samantha Clees had paid dearly for his success.
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===Preparing for the Future===
Date: April 12th, 3053Location: Tamar, Clan Wolf Occupation Zone
"The cracks are beginning to show in the Crusaders," Ulric Kerensky turned to speak to Natasha. "Elias Crichel was the most set against our practices."
 
"He was a bastard," Natasha Kerensky agreed, a glass of hard liquor in her hand. "What's that got to do with us, though."
 
"They may become a greater threat depending on who becomes the saKhan. Elias was a politician, not a great warrior.."
 
"Bah," Natasha tossed back the alcohol before refilling it from the bottle nearby. "If they make any moves, then I'll deal with it. Not like they fight well."
 
"The Jade Falcons and the Ghost Bears were the only two Clans aside from us that were able to succeed at their objectives on Tukayyid," Ulric reminded her. "They are not to be underestimated."
 
The two of them considered the information available to them before continuing to speak.
 
"The Falcons have already targeted and won most of the Steel Vipers invasion supplies." Natasha pointed out.
 
"They have also taken many bondsmen." Ulric looked at the information that he had been provided. "I say again, I suspect that when they have a new saKhan, we will face a hardier foe than before."
 
"Let 'em deal with the chaos for a bit," Natasha continued to drink. "We've got enough on our hands."
 
"Regardless, we must assume the worst," Ulric sighed. "but we will see what happens in the future."
 
"I'll start prepping things," Natasha poured a second drink and held it out to the ilKhan. "For now, drink up."
 
Ulric eyed the decanter for a moment before grabbing it and doing as he'd seen Natasha do before, a grimace crossing his face at the taste.
 
"Why?" he asked.
 
"It's an acquired taste," Natasha grinned. "Just give it some time. You'll eventually come to enjoy it."
 
"Or you won't," she muttered. "Damned sticks in the mud never know how to have a good time."
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