CYTM43

=Chapter 43=
==Can you tell me where can we start over?==
Kowloon 
Lyran Alliance
3061
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Evelynn Mosovich doesn't look like her AFFC pictures-unless you're taking the ones from her medical discharge.  One point eight meters tall, around sixty eight kilograms, and with a full head of hair. She doesn't look that terrible...until she turns to face you.
There are limits to what can be reconstructed.  When someone's face has been burned off, but they didn't have the decency to die from the experience.  What was once (in 3049) considered a beauty with slavic features and strawberry blonde hair, now looks like an extra from a zombie-horror movie, complete with a pair of zeiss brand electro-optical implants where her eyes used to be.
She still has the full head of hair, and as the baroness of the south Golden Lake area. She's the second highest noble on Kowloon behind the Duchess, and Duchess Elizabeth Ngo's presumed heir.
She's also the commander of the planetary ground forces-at least, the part that isn't part of the Coast Guard. She's working with a mercenary whose presence was the fortunate happenstance of a betrayal while under contract. With loss of a Jumpship, and the presence of an independent who owes the Duchess Ngo a great deal of money.
"So, Kristen, how are the trainees doing?"  Evelynn asked.
Kristen Marik, commander of the Krushers shrugged, "They're developing. It would be nicer if you had good facilities. I've seen Cadre duties that were rougher, i do think the pay's nice."
"Nicer than the bonuses Walker gave for that job on Coventry, eh??"  Evelynn's voice is a badly tuned vox implant, because she decided to leave it that way.
"Yeah...that was a ****** mess..." Kristine commented.
"Well, Her Grace is pleased with your progress and willing to either extend the contract or arrange transport for you back to the League." Evelynn's expression range wasn't great-the myomers and implants didn't leave a lot to express with...she made up for it with body posturing and exaggerating movements.  "I'd like to ask you to extend."
"We're technically criminals in the Lyran Alliance, my MRBC rating is in the toilet-"
"AND we can pay." Evelynn told her.
"I need to get home." Kristen insisted.
"Well...finish this class. We'll have you and your men on the first boat rimward along a route not controlled by LAAF." Evelynn told her.  "I just wish you could afford to reconsider...you mentioned you had proof that the Coventry mission wasn't your fault."
"I do. Recordings, records, instructions, orders..." drone Kristine
"I want copies." Evelynn told her, "Liz wants to stay neutral. I'm kind of leaning toward Victor, but I won't go against her to get it. However, I think the proper Archon Prince may appreciate getting your testimony and evidence delivered. Even if you're not here to deliver it, and I know Liz is inclined to recommend you to MRBC, and it'll help your case with the Reviews."
"Why are you all being so nice?" asked Kristine Marik
"Not used to it?" questioned Evelynn
"I keep waiting for the next shoe to drop." said Kristine
"The next shoe, is that my Duchess thinks the Clans are coming. That they'e going to come in when the Civil War gets hotter and things get more disordered.  I'm inclined to agree...and we need experienced 'mech officers...but no pressure, dig?"
"I dig, but my men need to be...well, we need to get home." 
"Naturally.  What was your plan before you boarded the Deen-Driver Number Nine?"
"Gallery, hit it, raid it, head for home." said Kristine
"Dumb plan.  THAT could finish your MRBC rating and push you right over into Pirate, even with the evidence. I'm glad you accepted the job offer."
"You could come too..." lead Kristine
"I can't. I have adult responsibilities, including Her Grace the Duchess." Evelynn stated, "lizzie's...on a timer. I can't be away if it suddenly goes off, you understand."
"I do...the current class should be ready for graduation in twelve more days. That gives you a battalion of 'Mechwarriors with some basic and advanced training-I wouldn't recommend putting them up against the Clans."
"We don't have a lot of options, Colonel." Evelynn stated, "We'll settle up your final bill and your ride will be there when you're ready to leave, with a navigation expert to get you back to your homeland without running into more trouble."
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[Kowloon Comstar HPG Compound]
"Well...that's very interesting, Herr Marshall."  Elizabeth said, "We'll certainly be on the lookout now that a warrant has been issued.  I wasn't aware of this.  I am, after all, largely a shut in these days."  she puffed a pipe, while watching Sharon Bryan on the screen.
"Loki says you hired them!" accused General Sharon Bryan
"I did. They finished the contract three months ago, they purchased return tickets on a freighter headed for Outreach, which has gone missing since leaving the province.  They did good work for me, I didn't know there were serious allegations regarding actions on Coventry, but Kristen's Krushers are definitely out of my jurisdiction."
"WHICH freighter?" demanded Sharon
"Consolidated Trans Universal lines..just a moment...MS B. Arnauld, out of Gallery, I can forward the registry if you like?"
"I would!  Outreach, you say?" asked Sharon Bryan
"That was their destination plan, stops at Gallery, Thorin, and then Outreach. It's only been three months. If the LAAF naval arm is alert, they might be able to catch up to them.  As I said, I paid them very well for their services here, if someone had been more forthright in letting me know-"
"We'll handle it from here, Duchess." said the General
"Good. I have to go, it's time for my medication. said Elizabeth
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