CS3056-66

=Chapter 66 =
=A Gathering Storm=
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Peace, why on earth was it a dirty word for so damn long? I mean it’s not a bad thing. No more filled hospitals, screaming wounded, weeping families and just god-awful waste. Hanse Davion may have been the architect of one of the bloodiest wars since the 2nd Succession War, but one can say this: It was decisive. It unified the Federated Commonwealth, it has humbled the Clans, destroyed the threat of the Capellan Confederation, and neutered the Draconis Combine. We have a chance to see our kids grow up. So, hell yes, I do support what we did then, and continue to support it now.
Even if I lost two sons to that very conflict.
- Janice Carrington, Reporter writing an op-ed in the Tharkad Abdenblatt on the tenth anniversary of the beginning of the War of ’56.
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===Reflecting on the Past and Future===
Salomek Federated Commonwealth National CemeteryCity of Salomek, SarnaFederated Commonwealth Cession 
April 4th, 3067
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Nine-year-old Samantha Melissa Kitsune Steiner-Davion was proving she was absolute hell on wheels. She’d barely heard her mother’s approval before she tore off to chase some butterflies…with her beloved puppy and half a dozen security personnel in tow, as well as her adopted cousins. Her long red hair was like a ship’s pennant and her daughter’s giggling echoed throughout the valley. 
Omi Steiner-Davion (nee Kurita) giggled at the antics of her oldest daughter. This I think, pleases the kami of the lost souls here. This is what they died for, and I hope this quiets their souls enough where they can find the peace they seek.
She turned to Dr. Katherine Cox (Steiner-Davion) “Children, they are so much to handle, yet they bring such joy.”
“They do, Omi, though I see a future as a track star in Samantha! She is going to run the security people ragged.”
Omi looked down at Marcus Stephen Hohiro Steiner-Davion, all of five, who had more of his long-departed uncle in him. Hohiro would have loved Marcus, according to Galen, he was giggling when he took him for a ride in his Crusader. The spirits willing, he won’t know war to use a Battlemech in.
She then looked down at her third child growing within her. She was due by the time summer was supposed to end. Victor was not crazy about Omi going into jump four months pregnant, but Omi had ways of getting her way. And it’s not like Sarna was much of a warzone these days. 
“I do hope the security folks catch up with Samantha, Jenny, and Robert, there is a bit of UXO out here.”
“Oh no!!” Omi’s hand flew to her lips as she got up, or at least tried to chase after her wayward daughter. “No, Omi, Katlin’s on it. If anyone can catch Samantha, it’s Katlin.” Katlin was the head of Samantha’s security detail, in her late 20s, with a mop of blonde hair she kept short, and a former MI-6 Operator. She had been chosen for two very good reasons. She loved kids, and she was as fast as Samantha was. I hope to ask her soon to be Samantha’s athletic tutor. Katherine is right.
Omi's fears were soon allayed as Katlin returned with a wriggling and giggling Samantha under one arm while playing a vigorous game of “got your nose.” Jenny and Robert Cox, along with Victoria Sanmorea-Davion, Samantha’s best friend were all tagging along, squealing with delight.
Marcus was seemingly content to play in the dirt, at least he’s not trying to eat something he shouldn’t be today. Omi’s mind groaned.
“So, your speech went well. I do hope everyone knows you like this part of your limited royal duties?”
“I owe the folks in the ground over there.” Katherine said, gesturing towards the actual cemetery. 
Omi exhaled. “It was war, Katherine and most of them were mercenaries. Not saying their lives were worth any less. I am just saying they took a warrior’s coin and knew the risk that came with that.”
“I know, but it’s still hard for me to accept it blithely.” Katherine said, shaking her head.
A wind picked up, blowing through the high grass, and disturbing some dandelions, filling the air, and making young Marcus sneeze.
“Oh dear, he does take after his father in the hay fever department.” Omi reached into her baby bag for a tissue for young Marcus, then beckoned him over as he sneezed again all over his Aunt Katherine.
“Gomen, Katherine-Chan, you know children.”
Katherine laughed. “They’re all germ factories at that age. But hey, if we can’t handle the cooties, then we shouldn’t have become parents. Speaking of which, where the hell is my brother, this isn’t like him?”
Omi helped Marcus blow his nose and then released him to go play some more in the dirt. “He’s with Kai negotiating a new aid package for the Confederation. Attacks by the rebels are up, and it was another reason he wasn’t crazy about either of us coming to Sarna.”
“Kai has his hands full. Even without any overt aid to the rebels, it just seems they get stronger every year.” Katherine shrugged. “It seems the Confederation was awash in weapons, and we didn’t get them all when the old CCAF surrendered.” 
Omi shook her head. “At least the Combine is quiet since my niece took over. But I have heard some compare her to my grandfather. She is both ruthless, and amoral, or at least that’s what the briefings I get tell me.”
“Send you a love letter she did?”
“Yes, a black origami cat in my bathroom vanity. I guess she wanted to know I could be got.”
“She has to know that applies to her as well.” Katherine said.
“She does, but she feels if her death forwards the Combine, then it is an honorable one.”
“Let’s not forget Kai and the Anduriens have fought three wars, all of them draws. And that Miklos Marik is causing all kinds of trouble for Corrine in parliament. I never thought a child of Isis would be so…against his own family. Then there’s the fact no one knows where the Blakists have disappeared to, mad ravings of Paul Masters aside. Oh, and who can forget my dunce of a brother, Arthur? The fact that he has any following in the Tamar March is incredible. But he does, even if my brother named someone else March Lord.” Katherine shuddered involuntarily. “So, what have we bought our children? A pause to reload?”
“Katherine my dear sister, I hope that is not the case. I would think after Sian, Sarna, Luthien, Waldorff, and Sudeten, the Inner Sphere has tasted its favorite dish entirely too much?”
“When it comes to that, I don’t bet on it, Omi. And I don’t want to kick the can down the road towards the kids.” 
“Neither do I.”
Omi then noticed a dark cloud on the horizon, it was coming toward the kids and security personnel in the distance. They’d already noticed and were beginning to corral the kids towards the waiting dropshuttle over the hill behind Katherine and Omi.
“It seems there is a storm coming,” Katherine said blankly.
“It does, dear sister. I hope we have bought the children some time at least, time to grow up and know some of the joys of life.”
“And if we haven’t?” Katherine asked with a concerned tone.
“Then we fight for the things behind us, love, family, and our homes. This Federated Commonwealth is my home now, Katherine. It is the home of my husband and my children. I pray they never see me truly angry because it will mean something happened to them.”
“I’ve seen you angry, Omi. It is a sight to behold. But between Aoki Kurita’s little origami project and that cloud. I just can’t think that we have an omen for difficult times ahead.”
“Hai.” Omi answered simply, her eyes never leaving the cloud. A look of fear crossed her features that did a lot to unnerve Katherine. Both women contemplated the koan of the cloud and the futures of their children.
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FIN…for now.
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==Word from the Author==
Plans for the future of Clover Spear and a Thank YouFirst, I want to thank all their fans for their kind words and for keeping me going for the last seven years of this project. It was a lot. I had multiple spreadsheets, maps, and all else tracking where various units wound up during all this mayhem and madness, and I still have to eventually figure out what an FC in 3077 is going to look like (Gave a bit away there, didn't I?)Second, I wanted to give you all an idea of where this is going from here:First, I want to get the 4th Succession War style sourcebooks written for CLOVER SPEAR, EAST SEA/ACTIVE PANTHER, NAQAM, and the final battle for Sian (yeah, it will probably merit its own book!). I am going to need help with this, so the line forms to the left.Second, I have a number of short stories I have in mind for the universe:- Kurita Redeemed (The rise of Aoki Kurita and the fall of her father).- Galen Cox, Alone and Afraid (Katherine's hosting a dinner party for some med students at her place, WoB terrorists invite themselves. Galen does a lot of crawling through air vents, you get the idea).- Kentares (Omi's speech on Kentares and the events surrounding it).- We Cordially Invite You... The story of Omi and Victor getting hitched, and all the semi-hilarity that ensues. I mean, just how do you throw a sheltered Kurita royal a bachelorette party? And for the love of God, don't let Yvonne get that job!As Mr. Bartles and Mr. Jaymes used to say, "Thank You For Your Support."
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;Note from Wiki Editor : The story has concluded. The author has said this is the end of the road for this story, but its open pending his approval of continuation by different interested writers.
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