FRS Chpt 11

==Falcon Rising - Chapter 11 -==
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===Demotions and Promotions===
Date: September 3050Location: Leskovik, Federated Commonwealth
"Investigation is over," an Elemental opened the cell door. "Report to Star Colonel Pryde for further instructions."
 
"Ugh," I stretched, a bit of my spine popping as I leaned back before standing up. "Need help?" I held out my hand.
 
"I do not require assistance, old man," Darya smirked, spinning up and onto her feet.
 
"Fine," I laughed. "Let us get moving."
 
We left the cell and followed the Elementals until we reached the Star Colonel's office.
 
"The investigation has been completed," the Star Colonel stated as Darya and I stood at attention. "Star Commander, your Star has been exonerated from any wrongdoing and we have identified the cause of the explosion. There was a stray missile from Star Captain Roshak's Mad Dog. Said missile impacted one of the natural gas tanks and the resulting explosion is what caused the damage to the Trinary."
 
"What of my Star?" Darya asked. "How is their recovery?"
 
"Your warriors are intact, and their 'Mechs have been repaired," Marthe glanced up at the two of us. "And Star Captain Roshak has been demoted to Star Commander. Should you challenge for his position, you may take command of the Trinary, Quiaff?"
 
"Aff," Darya replied. "I will Trial for it."
 
"The Trial of Position will be held at dawn tomorrow," the older Pryde stated. "It is unaugmented and will be between you and the other three Star Commanders. Should Roshak prove himself capable of winning, he will be allowed to regain his rank."
 
She then dismissed us with a wave of her hand, the Elementals showing us out as we headed for our quarters.
 
"Star Commander!" James and Liliana stood up as we entered. "It is good to see that you remain alive and unharmed."
 
"We were found to be not responsible for the destruction of the Trinary," Darya said after a moment. "But I suspect that we will still be found Dezgra for taking such losses from our own. After all, is it not shameful that the damage was not from our foes in honorable combat, but was instead an accident? Neg, I believe that we will participate in this next wave and will then be relegated to garrison duties.
 
"I guess we will have to try and avoid that fate then," I shrugged. "And if we are considered Dezgra, we will simply have to pull ourselves back into a frontline unit."
 
"Regardless," Darya sagged as she sat in a nearby chair. "We will need to rest. And I have a Trial of Position tomorrow."
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"I'm pretty sure what you are thinking of doing is not resting," I woke up as a feminine form crawled into my bunk.
 
"I do not desire to couple at this moment," Darya sealed herself against my side. "You have made your wishes absolutely clear. I merely desire comfort and a good rest."
 
"Fine," I closed my eyes. "Don't try anything though. I'm not anywhere near ready for that sort of thing."
 
"In time," she replied, shushing me with a finger on my lips. "Now hush, I am trying to sleep."
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===Star assignments===
"Darya," I gently shook the Star Commander awake. "It's time to get up, the Trial of Position is in an hour."
 
She slowly stretched and removed the covers, standing in a sports bra and a pair of shorts before she walked over to the nearby closet, removing a fresh uniform and carrying it into the nearest restroom with her.
 
"Hull, should I succeed in this Trial, I expect for you to challenge for my position," she stepped out after a few minutes. "Neither James nor Liliana are the sort that I would trust to lead the Star and I would not entrust my warriors to one like Roshak."
 
"Would he be the one to take your place?" I asked.
 
"Not if you managed to beat him in a trial of Position," she replied, a smirk on her face. "If you think you can accomplish it, old man."
 
"I'll certainly try," I shrugged. "I'm not doing unaugmented unless I'm forced to though. I'm not in favor of having to try and compete at a disadvantage like that."
 
"Wisdom," Darya turned to leave. "Only a fool would attempt to fight at a disadvantage."
 
"And is Bidding not fighting at a disadvantage?" I asked. "After all, you try to eliminate the number of forces which you are allowed to use."
 
"Neg," She replied. "It is designed to eliminate waste, and only bring ruin on those who are challenged."
 
"It fails when it comes to reality though," I commented, lacing up my boots and following her to the Trial's location. "Instead, the system fails to allow for upward movements. If you are not one of the Warrior Caste then you cannot bring a Grievance against a Warrior or one of the Scientists."
 
"Aff," Darya frowned. "It was not always so, but the Khan did away with the Inter-Caste Councils and reinstated the Grace of Preeminence Clause. Something that many disagreed with. Now, enough of such talk, there is a battle to be fought and glory to be won."
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===New Directive===
The local star began to shine over the horizon as the Circle of Equals assembled around the four combatants.
 
Only two of them were known to me though, Darya and Star Commander Roshak were the two that I had become acquainted with.
 
All four were placed at cardinal points around the circle, with Darya facing Roshak and the other two facing each other.
 
At the signal given from Star Colonel Pryde, the four closed in on one another, with the two ganging up on Roshak before Darya struck from behind, taking opportunity to drive her foot into the back of a knee before jabbing her elbow into the back of a skull as he fell, the man's eyes rolling up into the back of his head as he fell from the blow.
 
 Then there were three, and the field ran with blood and sweat as first Roshak fell, then the last unknown, leaving Darya triumphant.
 
"Star Captain Darya Pryde," the Star Colonel stepped forward, her voice ringing. "You have succeeded at this Trial of Position, and as such will take command of Trinary Gamma. You will be responsible for rebuilding your forces and ensuring that you are combat capable. Should you not accomplish this in a timely manner, you and your Trinary will be relegated to one of the garrison Clusters, Quiaff?"
 
"Affirmative," Darya inclined her head. "I will see that it is done."
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