WP3025 Chpt 15

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==Chapter 15 - Winged Praxis (Battletech 3015 CYOA)==
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===Meet and Greet===
Masterson Memorial Spaceport, Regulus City
Regulus System
Principality of Regulus, Free Worlds League
1st February, 3015
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"Thank you very much for coming out and joining us today." said Captain Kumari over the comms as Socks and I orbited up above the cloud deck. "TASS is privileged to be part of this show. I am Captain Loren "Cliffhanger" Kumari, TASS's chief training officer. I must say, I was a big fan of the display put on by the Cheetah pilots of the Regulan Royals. It was a show by them years ago that led me to the cockpit myself, so that was a nice hit of nostalgia for me. And let me tell you, flying the F-10 is not as fun as it looks. It's far more fun."
 
I chuckled as her patter let the Royals clear the airspace without deafening booms.
 
"But TASS doesn't currently operate the F-10. We play with some heavier metal than that." I saw Socks roll and dive from the orbit on his cue, torch barely ticking over. "Please direct your attention to the left side of the flightline, and you'll see a Regulan specialty, the CSR-V12M Corsair!" She paused for a moment for Sock's planform pass and the gasps that it would inevitably draw from the airshow crowds. "Designed by Wangker Aerospace, in an effort to crash rebuild the SLDF aerospace forces following the destruction of the Amaris Empire, the Corsair was initially quite the bent bird in the V1 model, with issues in its fuel system, landing gear, and its life support. Let me tell you, as a pilot, those are some systems that you want to be working just right." She paused a moment for Socks to fly another pass, waggling his wings in agreement. I could hear faint laughter over the link.
 
"Now, that would have killed most fighter programs right there. But the Corsair was such a fine bird, outside of those trifling issues," another pause for laughter, "That the SLDF allowed them the chance to go back to the drawing board and try again. And by the time the V2 came out, a high-G turn in atmosphere wouldn't rupture the fuel tanks!"
 
At this point, Socks would demonstrate said high-G turn.
 
"But the life support and landing gear were still prone to failure."
 
I watched the telemetry intently as Socks put the fighter into a controlled tumble, smoothly recovering on VTOL thrust in front of the crowd, before beginning to pivot as if he was on a showroom turntable.
 
"Long story short, it wasn't until the V8 that the Corsair wasn't trying to actively kill its pilot, and it wasn't for another four models before it gained its modern form. But what a form it is!" At this point, Socks was to dip the nose while maintaining the hover. "The Corsair doesn't waste any time with ballistics or missiles. All of its firepower is concentrated in an array of Exostar lasers ranging from small to large, and a cooling system that allows it to make use of them. That's a major logistical advantage for squadrons on deep raids, or for mercenaries like us. They also are excellent for strafing ground targets, backed up by the ten tons of underwing ordnance the Corsair can bring to the party. Ground attack or aerospace superiority, the Corsair is enormously flexible."
 
At this, Socks would be standing the Corsair on its torch and continuing the twirl.
 
"Now, you may be thinking that the Corsair is a Davion bird, Cliffhanger, what are you talking about with this being a Regulan specialty? And you're right, the majority of Wangker's Corsair lines fell into Federat hands when the First Succession War kicked off. But we got one too. Wangker had a facility on Connaught, and while it, like all of the other Corsair lines, except for Axton, didn't make it through the fires of that war intact, it did provide the core of the FWLM's Corsair wings."
 
Socks came out of the hover and transitioned to dirtied-up slow speed orbits of the flight line.
 
"Knowing we wouldn't be able to get replacements at anything like the rates of the Davions, but unwilling to write off such a good spaceframe, the Principality of Regulus came up with a refit that pulled a large laser and replaced it with more armor and increased the heat sinking capacity of the fighter. The Kuritans call it the 'Sand Hawk', and while I've had many the arguments with the snakes, that's a pretty fine name for this tough little dogfighter." Kumari paused for a moment, 'opening' a channel to Socks. "Hey Socks, how is she treating you?"
 
"Just dandy, Cliffhanger. Don't suppose I can stretch her out a bit?"
 
"Go play," she replied, before readdressing the crowd as Socks went into a more energetic routine. "That was Lieutenant Anvit Kundaraju, callsign Socks. He's a local boy, so give him a big cheer!" I could hear the cheers over the comms. "So, just a little bit of history for this particular bird. It, like our entire unit, is a veteran of the Battle of New Olympia. Unlike the rest of us, it was flying on the other side, for the Rose of Connaughtt, the 18th Marik Militia. We," she coughed, "appropriated it from the rebels, and now it flies for the victors."
 
This time the cheers were less distinct, but solid enough. I saw Socks break through the cloud deck in a climb, my cue to begin my descent. I rolled in.
"But now we're going to be treated to a display by our CO, Colonel Gideon Zalman, callsign Duster, in the FWLM's favorite set of wings, the F-90 Stingray!"
 
I kept things just barely transonic as I made a 'high-speed' pass down the flight line, grin on my face and Mach cone on my wings as I began the routine. If it was half as good as I thought it would be, Terri, Kalpit, Ikshita, and Jai would be getting quite a few inquiries if we were hiring.
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===Invitation to Dinner===
Palace of Mirrors, Regulus City
Aitutaki System
Principality of Regulus, Free Worlds League
2nd February, 3015
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"I may be a philistine," I said as we walked in the publicly accessible section of the Palace of Mirrors, wearing my aviators against the glare, "but I don't get the point of making this building so shiny."
 
Terri giggled. Like me, she had donned her shades. "Charming provincialism." she said.
 
"The building? Verdad?"
 
She shoved me playfully. "No, silly, you." She gestured to the palace. "This is a boast."
 
"Suppose it takes a lot of work to keep it so shiny." I mused.
"Doing impractical things can reinforce the appearance of power." she confirmed. "I have no idea if they've got an automated system or an army of servants keeping the building sparkling, but either way, it shows something about the Cameron-Jones, and the Selajs before them."
 
"Be a puta to assault too if the sun was hitting it. Way too easy to get dazzled."
 
Terri nodded. "That too, though I'd be surprised if it crossed their minds when they were building this place. This kind of thing is more about the psychological effect than the tactical. Probably why they keep the place lit up at night too. Sets them apart, living in this realm of light."
I shook my head. "Seems like a waste to me."
 
"It is. That's the point."
 
I shrugged, unable to say just how alien the thought was. I changed the subject instead. "Anything like this back on Holt?"
 
She smiled. "No, we're a bit more practical. House Tomlinson needs to focus more on the martial presentation as a MechWarrior house. Besides, we might not be a one jump system, but we're close enough to the border that we see action often enough. The closest we have to this is a mural in the green, white, and gold. Maybe the banners. Besides, ever since father became the MP, the family has spent a lot of time in the capital rather than in the hold." She froze for a second, looking over my shoulder. "No way. What's he doing here?"
 
I turned to survey the crowd, but couldn't see who she was referring to. "Who?"
 
"John Melton," she hissed, grabbing my shoulder and turning me to look at a handsome older man with piercings and tattoos that definitely were not the classic Marik eagle. "Icepick?"
 
"You've lost me, Terri."
"Oh, come on, he's like the most famous entertainer in the League."
 
"Never heard of him. Does he sing country?"
 
"No."
 
"Metal?"
 
"Don't think so."
 
"Mariachi?"
 
"Once, I think?"
 
"Action vids?"
 
"No, he does live performances."
 
I nodded. "I start to see why this guy hasn't made a splash on Cerillos."
 
"Other than the lacking surface water?" she asked in a teasing tone. "Yeah, fair. He's famous for never doing the same show twice, and all of his performances are 'free of redeeming social value'."
 
I turned back to her, raising an eyebrow. "Really?"
 
She nodded. "Apparently it's a point of pride for him."
 
"I don't believe it."
 
"No, it's true. My brothers went to one of his shows. Said it was the most fun they'd ever had in a theater."
 
I frowned. "Guy who does single performances not trying to say something with his art? I suppose he might just be grifting with the single performance things, but that just don't smell right to me."
 
"Perceptive," said a voice behind my shoulder. Terri gasped and motioned with her head for me to turn around. I did, finding Melton standing behind me with an easy smile. "I am saying thing with my performances."
 
"Oh?" I asked.
 
"Not one minute of redeeming social value is more of a marketing term." he said. "Also, a guiding light for my messages." When neither of us responded, he elaborated. "Redeeming social value tends to be in service of the status quo."
 
I snapped my fingers. "I bet you play to mostly noble audiences, don't you."
 
He nodded. "And the rich." He flashed a self-deprecating grin. "Needling them with fun is my own little way of pushing things in a better direction."
 
"Okay," I said despite myself, "I think I might like you. How do you deal with the tendency for rules to only be for the powerless?"
 
"How and where I can," he said. "I'm mostly planting seeds and seeing if they grow. Watering them with mockery, as it were." He spread his hands. "It's part of why even if I only do single performances, they're always recorded. Making sure the ideas can spread, even as I focus my comedic sermon on those with power."
 
"Shit." I said. "That's plum decent of you. So, what are you doing here?" I asked, remembering Terri's earlier question.
 
"Doing the whole tourist gawk?" He laughed at my rude gesture. "I'm looking to see if I can't find inspiration for a show based on mirrors. Something to get at the Cameron-Jones."
 
"Reflections of the Selaj?" asked Terri without realizing she was speaking out loud.
 
Melton smiled. "That might make a good title. Would you like credit, Miss..?"
 
Terri shook her head. "Father would probably kill me. I've pushed my luck with him quite a bit lately." Realizing the implied question, she started. "Sorry, where are my manners? Teresa Tomlinson."
 
The entertainer laughed. "I see. Well, Ms. Tomlinson, I hope you'll keep my artistic vision under wraps?" He tapped the side of his nose.
 
"That's only fair." she said, ducking her head.
 
"Grand!" He looked at the two of us. "Now, I don't suppose you two are associated with Tomlinson Aerospace Security Solutions, by your name?"
 
I nodded. "I flew the Stingray demonstration yesterday in Terri's bird."
 
"I didn't realize I was speaking with a Colonel."
 
"Eh, that's mostly a formality. TASS isn't that big." I spread my hands. "So, does Icepick come from somewhere?"
 
His smile turned rueful. "I had a very short career in conventional air. Going to airshows is a taste of days gone by. Anything more will require alcohol at the minimum."
 
"We understand." said Terri.
 
"Don't suppose you know of any good bars on planet?" I asked. "We were going to try and go skiing, but the show left us with only time for shopping and sightseeing before lift."
 
"That's a pity. The skiing here is quite the treat, even if you'll excuse my partiality for my homeworld. Why don't the two of you join me for dinner tonight? We can discuss art and embarrassing stories?"
 
I turned to ask Terri what she thought.
 
"We'd be delighte." she said before I could open my mouth.
 
A quick exchange of contact info, and a promise to meet up later followed. As we waved goodbye, Terri turned back to me with a questioning look.
 
"What?" I asked.
 
"Just wondering," she said. "You've been different lately."
 
"I hope that's not bad."
 
"No…I don't know. You seem more mature and thoughtful. And I still see you. But there are moments where you say something I'd never expect or think in a way that surprises me when you never would have before. No, in a way that you never did before." She bit her lip. "Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to a stranger. And then I see you smile or say something else and I wonder why I ever felt that way." She brushed her hair behind an ear. "I'm probably not making much sense."
 
Of course, she was. But how could I explain? It sounded crazy, even to me, who had been living it. "I've felt different," I said. "Ever since I won that damn neurohelmet off Liszt. Since I found out Eema went missing and I became rich overnight."
 
"I guess it's not fair to expect you to stay the same when so much has changed in your life."
 
I shrugged. "I don't know." An idea occurred to me. "Did I ever wear Liszt's neurohelmet?"
 
She nodded slowly. "Sure, pretty much all night while we partied after the win. Wasn't connected to anything, though."
 
"Those SLDF buckets could get ghosts though, right? Maybe there was a little juice still in it, and that messed with me."
 
"The idea of Liszt sharing a skull with you isn't something I want to consider, Gid."
 
I shuddered, not having considered that. "Probably not him," I said. "More likely an ancestor."
 
"Not helping," she said. "Besides, you haven't been acting like an entitled prat."
 
"Good to hear."
 
"Besides, you were able to link up with 216 just fine. If that helmet put a ghost in your head, you shouldn't have passed the security check." She cupped my cheek with her hand. "Look, don't worry about it. I'm overreacting to you dealing with a lot. I don't hate you or anything, I'm just realizing that I don't know everything about Gideon Zalman, and I thought I did." She smiled and gave me a quick kiss. "I'll just have to learn more." The smile turned impish. "If it's anything like before, that ought to be fun."
 
Pleasant memories flooded back over me and I drew her back in for a more serious kiss, ignoring the other people and reflections about us.
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===Sword Practice===
Dropship Siduri, Zenith Point Transfer Burn
Regulus System
Principality of Regulus, Free Worlds League
4th February, 3015
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"I still can't believe you went for dinner and drinks with John Melton." said Ikshita as we split for another bout. She was absolutely schooling me in saber, and I hadn't gotten in so much as a lucky hit, but I felt like I was learning a lot.
 
"What can I say?" I asked. "Surprisingly decent guy." I saluted and fell back into guard. "Would have been interesting to see one of his shows, but we had to boost."
 
Ikshita lunged, which I barely parried. "If I believed you, I'd be incredibly jealous, Sir." She worked a deceptive sequence of cuts that I lost track of, taking a shot to the forearm.
 
"Gah!" I shook the stinging arm, glaring at her. "No rank on the salle, you know that. Besides, why would I lie?"
 
"It's well known that fighter pilots will say anything," she said primly, saber resting against her shoulder as she waited for me to reset.
 
"Now that's just slander," I said. "There's plenty I wouldn't say."
 
"Oh?"
 
"Sure. Off the top of my head…I think my chrono's too big," I joked, waving the large-faced chrono I wore on my left wrist.
 
"Uh huh." she said with a suppressed smile.
 
"Where's the decaf? Never hear me say that." I ticked it off on my fingers. "I hate my job, that debrief was way too short, paperwork really helps my tactical awareness…"
 
The laughter burst out from Ikshita's trembling lips.
"No thanks, I've had enough Weed," I said with a vicious grin.
 
Another round of laughter doubled her over. "The…th…the highest order of war…warrior and defender is and shall always be the mech…the mech…" she collapsed into peals of laughter, unable to get it out.
 
I laughed as well. "The mechwarrior? Yeah, Lorix can fuck right off." I rolled my eyes. "You'll never hear me saying that."
 
She wiped tears from her eyes. "Nice to be in a unit that isn't led by someone who buys into that. Thanks, Sir."
 
"No rank on the salle," I reminded her. "Call me, Duster." I poked at her with my saber.
 
She swatted it away. "Thanks, Duster. Now en guard. Let's see if you can't at least get one point in today."
 
I couldn't. But I felt good about myself anyway.
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===Dinosaur Hunting===
Dropship Siduri, Deorbit Burn to Camlann 1
Camlann Independent System, Free Worlds League
13th February, 3015
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"So let me get this straight." I said to Francoise. "You want to go dinosaur hunting?"
 
"Oh yes," she said. "You must come! How many chances will you get to hunt such a beast? They average four and a half tons!"
 
Lien covered her mouth, obviously seeing what I was about to say.
 
"Francoise," I said. "Have you forgotten what my job is? I shot down two hundred and seventy-five tons in a sortie. On ground strike duty I hunt mechs."
 
"Piffle," she said, drawing a laugh from her husband. "This is not the same and you know it. Besides, you need to have some fun. You've been far to busy with running your little mercenary unit. You're supposed to be on a cruise."
 
"I like being with my unit," I said.
 
"Oh, you'll have plenty of chance for that. Take the opportunity while you can, Gideon," she replied.
 
I nodded. "I suppose. Who's all going to be there?"
 
"My wife and I." said Gunther. "Lien and her father, and I understand Phillipa will be there as well. It would be best if we had another so that everyone had a partner."
 
I thought about the schedule. We didn't have anything critical scheduled, and with the interest we had drummed up on Regulus, I could give myself a treat. I hadn't had the chance to go hunting since I left Cerillos. SERE didn't count. "Alright, I'll round out your hunting party. I haven't been so sociable lately. Time to fix that."
Francoise beamed, looking like she had just won the lottery. "Oh, capital!"
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*;Notes from the Author : Cruising along. Three jumps worth this time, along with a self-indulgent airshow scene. Siduri has been hopping between jumpships to keep things moving quickly in universe, by the by. It's not a proper command circuit, but they make better time than they would on a single jumpship. I wonder if people can see where Gideon screwed up in this chapter.In other commentary, we have another appearance by a canon stub character. John "Icepick" Melton shows up in the 3025 House Marik book under the entry for Regulus. His background as a conventional air pilot is all me, along with his deeper artistic motives. But his popularity, refusal to perform the same show twice, pride in not having 'redeeming social value' in his shows, along with how fun they can be are all canon, as is the Palace of Mirrors and Masterson Memorial Spaceport.
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