AATiPDC Chpt 12

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==Chapter 12 - An American Tanker in Prince Davion's Court==
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===Muddying the Waters===
Comstar First Circuit Compound
Hilton Head Island, Terra
August 15th, 3028
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9:00 pm
On the evening of August 15th, an agent in the employ of Romano Liao attempted to assassinate Quintus Allard while he was in his suite conferring with his son Daniel. Thanks to Daniel’s quick reflexes, he was able to roll his father out of the assassin’s line of fire while drawing his own laser pistol. However, the assassin wasn’t taken out by Dan’s fire; instead, he was shot from a distance by an agent of ROM. It so happened that Tojo Jarlath (Precentor ROM) had developed intelligence that Romano Liao would make such an attempt, and that he had detailed agents to keep a close eye on Quintus Allard.
To avoid any suspicion of complicity, Jarlath had a team of ROM security agents standing by. In turn, these agents kicked open the door to Quintus Allard’s quarters on the pretext of just having come onto the scene after the shooting. Coldly furious at the attempt on his life, the elder Allard thanked the agents for their assistance and immediately reported the attack to Hanse Davion; in turn, the First Prince communicated the information to Archon Katrina Steiner. Takashi Kurita received a summary of what happened and reacted by swearing loudly “Baka!!”
Later that night, Tojo Jarlath delivers a report on what happened to Primus Julian Tiepolo and the members of Comstar’s First Circuit. After some discussion among those present, Tiepolo decides that a communications interdict against House Liao will not be in order. Instead, Precentor Sian will be detailed to present a list of ‘requests’ to the Chancellor; first among these are the materials and personnel necessary to upgrade a dozen of the ‘B’ HPG stations in the Capellan Confederation to full ‘A’ status. Second, Comstar will be allowed to recruit candidates from among the Confederation’s best and brightest citizens; this and the first request are non-negotiable. To give Maximilian Liao the illusion that he has any choice in the matter, he will be asked to ‘let’ his son Tormana join Comstar; if he declines to do so, nothing further will be said.
Outwardly, Myndo Waterly agrees with the Primus’ decisions; inwardly, however, she’s seething over his seeming inaction. To herself, she swears “Primus, unlike the word of the Blessed Blake and my anger, you aren’t immortal and you won’t rule forever. By the time I’m done with you, no one will remember that you ever existed…”
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===Chat with a "Lady"===
Comstar First Circuit Compound
Hilton Head Island, Terra
August 16th, 3028
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7:00 pm
Not caring that her attempt to kill Quintus Allard very nearly brought disaster to the Capellan Confederation, Romano Liao confers with her husband Tsen Shang and decides upon another course of action. The idea is to bring discredit upon First Prince Hanse Davion by driving a wedge between him and General Hodges; her intent is to invite Hodges to her quarters for a visit and offer herself to him. If he accepts the opportunity and acts upon it, the intent is to expose him publicly for what he has done.
At 7:00 pm, Tsen Shang knocks on the door to General Hodges’ quarters and says “My lady Romano Liao sent me here to extend you an invitation to come and see her on a matter of some importance. Shall I convey your acceptance?”
“Very well, Mr. Shang. Tell your lady that I’ll be there in 15 minutes.”
Shang turns and leaves; when the door closes, Kym Sorenson comes up and says “What was all that about, James?”
“Well, unless I’m very much mistaken, I think that Romano Liao wants to play the old ‘honey trap’ game by seducing me and threatening to expose said liaison. I’m minded to play her little game; when she thinks she’s got me, I’ll call that stupid bitch out on the carpet.”
“Alright, Dearest. Do please be careful; I wouldn’t put it past her or someone else to do something unexpected…”
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A quarter of an hour later, General Hodges shows up at Romano Liao’s bungalow. Interestingly enough, neither Tsen Shang or any of her guards are present; just before knocking on the door, he activates the small recording device in one of his coat pockets.
The door opens to reveal Romano Liao standing there in a long flowing gown of sheer green silk; the gown has an impossibly-deep neckline and seems to be held up by nothing more than the intent of its wearer.
“Good evening, Lady Romano. Your husband brought word that you wanted to see me on some issue of importance…”
“Yes, General. Do please come in and make yourself comfortable…”
Hodges follows, while silently thinking to himself “I haven’t seen such a blatant come-on since the last time I was at the Starz Club in Tongduchon, South Korea”. As he enters the room, he sees that the lights are turned down low, with a fire in the fireplace, several candles at various places and soft music playing from overhead. Romano slinks over to a nearby table, pours out two glasses of champagne and returns to give one to General Hodges.
Romano raises her glass and says “to your very good health, sir.” Hodges returns the toast, takes a sip and replies “That’s a very nice little nothing you’re almost wearing; proof positive that the law of gravity isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Why don’t you cut to the chase and tell me what’s really on your mind?”
“Why General, don’t you find me attractive? You’re unmarried, and surely men of your lofty rank have ‘needs’ that I could help fulfill…”
Hodges drains his glass, throws it to the floor and crushes it under his boot. His gaze hardens like granite and his voice begins to rumble like boulders grinding together.
“Lady (and I use the term very loosely), I don’t know what you and Uncle Maxie have planned, but I’m not interested. You’re married, and shouldn’t behave like a woman whose physical affections are subject to commercial negotiation. Someone like you would think nothing of stealing the coins of a dead man's eyes or the penny from under his tongue...”
“WHAT??”
“You heard me right, Romano. Tell Mad Max I said “better luck next time.”
Romano angrily hisses like a cornered cat and throws the rest of her drink in General Hodges’ face. She draws her hand back to slap him, only to have it effortlessly blocked by Hodges’ right hand.
“If you had any dignity (which I very much doubt), I’d tell you not to do something that we’ll both regret.”
Hissing and spitting in fury. Romano says “Hodges, hear me well when I say that you’ll regret this insult to me.” He dismisses her with a contemptuous wave of the hand and says “I really don’t care; if it were up to me, I’d stomp on you so ****** hard that you’d ooze out from under my boots.” Without further adieu, Hodges turns on his heels and leaves; his first stop is at his own quarters to tell Kym Sorenson what transpired. Then, it’s off to the First Prince’s quarters to deliver a personal contact report.
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The next several minutes is spent in relating what happened to Hanse Davion, along with playing the recording from the device in General Hodges’ pocket. After hearing Hodges’ report, the First Prince laughs so hard that it takes a few seconds for him to recover his composure.
“I can’t believe that you called Romano Liao a whore; that’s just priceless.”
“I certainly did, your highness; called her a few other choice names, too. I wasn’t so offended so much by Miss Lot Lizard’s attempt at seduction as I was by the truly amateurish way she carried it out. When I left, she was so angry that she could chew nails and spit tacks; as far as what Mad Max thinks about what happened. I really don’t care.”
“Mad Max?? I’ll have to remember that one…”
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===The Calm before the Storm===
August 19th, 3028
6:00 pm
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On the evening before the wedding is to take place, General Hodges prevails upon the good will held by Takashi Kurita towards him and requests a second meeting; curious as to what this portends, the Coordinator grants the request.
Hodges enters the Coordinator’s quarters, makes a short bow of the head and says ‘Konban-wa, Kurita-sama. Thank you for agreeing to see me again on such short notice.”
“Konban-wa, Hodges-san. When you asked to see me tonight, I must confess to no little amount of curiosity about the reason.”
“Hai, Kurita-sama. If you will allow me to do so, I will get right to the point…” A nod in the affirmative from the Coordinator, then General Hodges continues.
“Coordinator, the very recent difficulties between the Draconis Combine and the mercenary outfit called ‘Wolf’s Dragoon’ has not escaped my notice. Both your honorable self and Colonel Wolf believe that the other party is in the wrong in this situation; with respect, I am here to tell you that both sides are wrong. Yes, Wolf’s Dragoons did leave your service under less-than-ideal circumstances. Kurita-sama, the break was neither caused by your honorable self or by Colonel Wolf. Instead, the friction which broke out between the Draconis Combine and Colonel Wolf’s outfit was caused by the machinations of Grieg Samsonov, Warlord of the Galedon Military District; equally complicit in Samsonov’s malfeasance was his underling, Jerry Akuma. Recently Subhash Inrdrahar issued a termination order against Akuma (with your permission). However, one of Colonel Wolf’s mechwarriors got to Akuma first; he was killed in the fighting on An Ting. Akuma’s death was authorized because both you and Director Indrahar were cognizant of his misdeeds.”
“You have the right of it, Hodges-san. I was unaware of Warlord Samsonov’s responsibility in this matter; I presume that you have documentation of this?”
“Hai, Kurita-sama; I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
General Hodges hands over the duplicate folder of documents for the Coordinator’s perusal; the more that Takashi Kurita reads, the angrier he gets.”
“Hodges-san, once again, I am in your debt. When I return to Luthien, this information will be submitted to the ISF for review; I don’t doubt that they will confirm it in all details. I will therefore deal with Samsonov in a manner befitting that traitorous yawamushi....”
“I believe you will, Kurita-sama. In a related matter, Colonel Wolf himself is standing by to see you on a matter of the utmost personal importance.”
“Why should I agree to see him, Hodges-san?”
“Kurita-sama, Colonel Wolf wishes to return Minobu Tetsuhara’s swords to you personally. You see, when Samosnov ordered certain DCMS units to engage and destroy Wolf’s Dragoons, he and his own forces stood by and hid behind the moon of Misery; their orders were to enter battle if Tetsuhara-san managed to draw out the Dragoons. However, as the Scottish poet Robert Burns once said many centuries ago, ‘The best laid schemes o' mice an' men / Gang aft a-gley.’ By this, I mean that Colonel Wolf and his unit saw off the attack. In the resulting action, Tetsuhara-san was captured. To atone for his disgrace, he decided to commit seppuku; as he and Colonel Wolf were very good friends before the late unpleasantness, Tetsuhara-san asked Colonel Wolf to stand as his Kaishakunin; before Tetsuhara-san carried out his atonement, he asked Colonel Wolf to personally deliver his swords to you.”
Still somewhat conflicted over General Hodges’ revelations, Kurita says nothing for the next several moments as he sits in thought. Eventually, he responds “Hodges-san, you have behaved honorably and I see no reason to doubt your word in this matter.” The Coordinator turns to one of his aides and says “Bring Colonel Wolf here immediately”
The man instantly responds “Hai, Kurita-sama” and bows his way out of the room. A few minutes later, Colonel Wolf enters; he is carrying an oblong bundle wrapped in the finest white silk. Wolf marches up to the Coordinator’s desk, makes a short, respectful bow and presents the swords to him (after touching the bundle to his forehead as a sign of respect).
“Kurita-sama, I herewith return these swords to you; I swore to Tetsuhara-san that I would do so.”
“Colonel Wolf, you have shown the utmost honor in so doing; after all, ‘duty is as heavy as a mountain and death is as light as a feather’; I am pleased that we did not come into conflict with each other, and I will issue orders to the effect that neither the DCMS, the ISF, the Genyosha or any other agency will take any further action against either you or the Dragoons; I will likewise countermand my order against mercenaries. This matter is now closed”
“Hai, Kurita-sama”
Colonel Wolf makes a formal bow and withdraws from the room. The Coordinator looks to General Hodges and says “Hodges-san, once again you have done my house an invaluable service. When we last met, I said that, were our nations not in conflict with one another, I would make you a Knight of the Dragon. For what you have done this day, I will ask the First Prince for permission to bestow that honor upon you; you are a citizen of the Federated Suns and so, for that reason, the title will be honorary. However, should you ever find yourself within the Draconis Combine for any reason, you will be treated as such (with the rights, honors and privileges appertaining thereto).”
“Hai, Coordinator. However we meet again, I am honored that you think me worth of such distinction.”
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August 19th, 3028
8:00 pm
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General Hodges makes a detailed report to the First Prince on what transpired between he and the Coordinator. Upon completion, Hans Davion responds “General Hodges, I never actually thought that Takashi Kurita would actually go through with what you said; my read of his character was that, to admit that mistakes were made would have led to a loss of face. Well-done, I say..”
Just then, Archon Katrina and Archon-designate Melissa enter the room. Hanse says, “Archon, my dear Melissa, General Hodges has informed me that a potentially-vexatious variable has been removed from the equation. You are already aware of the unpleasantness that passed between Wolf’s Dragoons and the Draconis Combine; a short time ago, General Hodges came to me with information that the conflict between the Combine and the Dragoons came about at the instigation of Grieg Samsonov, Warlord of the Galedon Military District. He requested permission to mediate the dispute between Colonel Wolf and the Coordinator, and was eminently successful.”
Melissa applauds, while Archon Katrina says “Well-done, General.” She looks to the First Prince and says “Hanse, I am pleased to hear about what went on. However, that isn’t why I’m here. I want to recognize General Hodges for the invaluable service he rendered the Lyran Commonwealth in facilitating the retrieval of the caches on Helm and New Dallas. With your permission, I would like to award him the Commonwealth Medal of Honor. Attendant to this award, General Hodges will also be inducted into the Knights of Donegal.”
The First Prince smiles widely and says “General, that distinction is well-deserved; what say you to the Archon’s intent?”
“I will be pleased and honored to accept, your highness.”
Archon Katrina nods her head by way of response; she bends close to Melissa and engages in a few brief moments of hushed conversion before standing up.
“General Hodges, I have a personal request to make of you; one that doesn’t bear on any of your military responsibilities. In the ceremony which will take place tomorrow, I have no one to give away the hand of my daughter Melissa in marriage. You see, that role would have been performed by my husband Arthur Luvon. However, he passed away when Melissa was only a baby; I now ask that you stand in his stead and walk Melissa down the aisle…”
General Hodges is quite taken by surprise at the Archon’s request, though he’s normally quite unflappable. When he recovers his composure, Hodges replies “Archon, I am humbled that you would ask me to carry out such a personal duty. Know that I will perform it in a manner befitting the honor and the dignity of the ceremony.”
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===The Storm Breaks===
August 20th, 3028
3:00 pm
At long last, the day for which Hanse Davion and Katrina Steiner have labored years has come to pass; the First Prince and Archon-Designate Melissa Steiner are to be married. Befitting the occasion, the wedding ceremony will take place in the magnificent Cathedral-Basilica of St. John The Baptist in downtown Savannah. The first church of the name on this site was constructed between 1811 and 1839 and, over the years, the cathedral burned down and was reconstructed several times. In the aftermath of the Amaris Coup in December of 2766, the cathedral was razed during the fighting taking place in and around Savannah; it was only after Amaris was overthrown that it was rebuilt. This time, the materials used came from other churches destroyed by the Usurper's minions. Notable features of the basilica are its great bronze doors (from the Papal Basilica of St. John Lateran and before that, the ancient Curia Julia) and the Papal altar (from the Basilica of St. Peter). The ceiling itself is painted as an exact copy of the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel in Rome which (along with St. Peter’s Basilica, the Basilica of St. John Lateran and the other churches in the city) were destroyed or heavily-damaged by the infamous ‘Greenhaven Gestapo’ mercenary unit when it sacked the Vatican in 2770.
As with the other guests, General Hodges and Kym Sorensen rise early in the morning in order to get ready for the ceremony. Hodges lays out his uniform after pressing it and attaches his decorations; following this, he shines his boots to his own exacting specifications. While this is going on, Kym Sorensen does the same with her own dress.
Each of them eyes the other to make sure their outfits are just so, then Sorensen says “James, how do I look?” A beaming smile is Hodges’ reply as he says “You’re as pretty as a picture, My dear.”
A slight chuckle escapes Kym’s mouth, then “Flattery will get you everywhere. Now, the driver should be here in about 15 minutes to take me to the cathedral. I’m one of the Archon-designate’s bridesmaids, so I’ll need to be with her; you’re one of the First Prince’s groomsmen, so you’ll be travelling with him.” General Hodges replies “Lancer-Six Actual copies “
“Lancer-Six Actual? What does that mean?”
“Oh, that was my call sign a long time ago in a place far, far away…”
A few minutes later, there is a knock on the door. Hodges open it and sees an earnest young officer in the uniform of the Davion Guards.
“Yes?”
“Sir, Minister Allard sends his compliments and says that he and the other members of the groom’s party are waiting for you at the First Prince’s bungalow.”
“Thank you, lieutenant. Give Minister Allard my regards and tell him that I’ll be there directly.”
“Yes, sir.”
The officer turns and leaves, then General Hodges looks to Kym Sorensen and says “Duty calls, My dear; I’ll see you at the church.”
“Alright, Darling.”
The two part with a squeeze of the hand and a quick peck on the cheek; Hodges pauses briefly to belt on his saber and is out the door.
A short time later, General Hodges meets with the First Prince at his bungalow, along with the other members of his wedding party. Hanse Davion is standing before a mirror making final adjustments to his tuxedo as Hodges comes in.
“Good morning, your highness. I see that you’re getting ready for the big day.”
“Indeed I am, General.”
Just then, Morgan Hasek-Davion (Hanse Davion’s best man) speaks up and says “Your highness, it’s time to go.”
The First Prince and his groomsmen are driven to the cathedral; before they arrive, the wedding ushers (men and women from the Davion Heavy Guards) are escorting the guests to their seats in order of precedence. Aside from the principals, the guest list is composed of everybody who’s anybody in the Inner Sphere; there are even delegations from major periphery states like the Marian Hegemony and the Magistracy of Canopus. The major names are as follows:
Federated Suns: First Prince Hanse Davion, Marie Davion, Michael Hasek-Davion, Morgan Hasek-Davion, Kym Sorenson, Quintus Allard, Tamara Kearny Allard, Riva Allard, Felicity Baroness de Gambier, Ardan Sortek, Cardinal Francis Flynn, Anton Vitios.
Lyran Commonwealth: Archon Katrina Steiner, Archon-Designate Melissa Steiner, Jeana Clay, Misha Auburn, Cardinal John Maraschal
Capellan Confederation: Chancellor Maximillian Liao, Elizabeth Jordan Liao, Candace Liao, Justin Allard, Romano Liao, Tsen Shang, Pavel Ridzik, Alexi Malenkov
Draconis Combbine: Coordinator Takashi Kuita, Jasmine Kurita, Yorinaga Kurita, Akira Brahe
Free Worlds League: Captain-General Janos Marik, Brownwen Rafsani, Janek Hansen
Marian Hegemony: Imperator Marius O’Reilly
Magistracy of Canopus: Magestrix Kyalla Centrella
ComStar: Primus Julian Tiepolo, Ulthar Everston, Myndo Waterly, Villius Tejh
Mercenary: Colonel Jamie Wolf, Morgan Kell, Daniel Allard, Scott Bradley
As the wedding represents not just the union of two people, but the joining of two of the Inner Sphere’s Great Houses, the ceremony will be concelebrated by Francis Cardinal Flynn from the Archdiocese of New Avalon and John Cardinal Maraschal from the Archdiocese of Tharkad.
While the guests are being seated, General Hodges waits along with the Archon-Designate in a side vestibule; just before the wedding march begins, Hodges thinks back to the time when he walked his own daughter down the isle.
As the cathedral’s great organ begins to play, all eyes present are drawn to the central aisle where Melissa Steiner begins to walk; General Hodges supports Melissa’s right hand on his left arm, and the pace is that of a slow march. First Prince Hanse Davion is standing in front of the high altar, waiting for his bride-to-be.
Melissa Steiner joins her soon-to-be husband, with General Hodges standing in the position of Parade rest off to the left. At a signal from Cardinal Flynn, the assembled guests take their seats. Then, he raises his hands in blessing and begins to speak.
“Who gives this woman to be wedded to this man?”
General Hodges snaps to attention, responds “I do” and moves Melissa’s veil aside so that Hanse can gaze upon her face.
Cardinal Flynn nods and says “Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of Almighty God and this assembled company to bear witness to the union of two people in the bonds of Holy Matrimony. We hold marriage up as a sacred union between two people who are committed to loving one another and spending the rest of their lives together, faithful to each other, and to their journey together. But we also know as a society that marriage is a serious institution. It requires deep commitment, faith and trust in your spouse, and a lot of patience to make it work. In the time I’ve known Hanse and Melissa and in the conversations we’ve had discussing this ceremony, I’ve seen those things. I’ve seen their commitment to one another, their faith and trust, and their patience - and above it all, I’ve seen the love that these two wonderful people have for each other. Now in the book of 1st Corinthians, the Apostle Paul provides us with a beautiful description of the kind of love that a marriage needs. He writes, “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
To the couple, Cardinal Flynn says “Hanse and Melissa, I want to urge you to hold to that vision of your love for one another, because even though all of us here are behind you and rooting for you, life throws us challenges, and in the midst of those challenges, it’s the kind of love St. Paul was describing that is going to get you through it. Knowing this, it’s time to declare yourselves to one another.” Cardinal Maraschal begins to read as follows:
“Hanse, do you take Melissa to be your lawfully wedded wife from this day forward, to have and to hold, in good times and bad, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health; will you love, honor, and cherish her for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
“Melissa, do you take Hanse to be your lawfully wedded husband from this day forward, to have and to hold, in good times and bad, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health; will you love, honor, and cherish him for as long as you both shall live?”
“I do”.
“It is now time to say your vows to each other.
“Hanse, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed. I promise to love, honor and cherish you, in good times and bad, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part”.
Hanse places the ring on Melissa’s finger, then Cardinal Maraschal says “Melissa, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed. I promise to love, honor and cherish you, in good times and bad, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part”. Melissa places the ring on Hanse’s finger and Cardinal Flynn speaks up.
“Hanse, Melissa, having proclaimed your love for, and commitment to one another in the sight of Almighty God and these witnesses, it is my pleasure to pronounce you, by the authority vested in me by Almighty God, husband and wife. Hanse Davion, you may now kiss the bride.”
Cardinal Maraschal speaks last and says “Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with honor that I now introduce to you their royal highnesses Prince Hanse Davion and Princess Melissa Steiner-Davion. The couple will now proceed out of the cathedral; afterwards, they have asked that you join them for a reception at the main conference hall on Hilton Head Island. Thank you for joining us today and God bless you all.”
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==Note from the Author==
;Chapter Comment by the Author: The preliminaries of the wedding are adapted from 'Warrior: Riposte' by Michael Stackpole. The narration of the wedding ceremony is from my own wedding in 2001.The Starz Club is a bar that I used to frequent when I was in South Korea with Company C of the 2nd Engr Bn, 2nd Division between 1986 and 1987; it was famous for having a Harley-Davidson 883 'Sportster' motorcycle set into the bar and a stereo rack that covered one entire wall. As for the 'ahh, entertainment, the image of a pack of hungry sharks going after a surfer comes to mind....
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