FaRtaL Chpt 25

==From a Ristar to a Lady - Chapter 25 -==
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===Quiet Confrontation===
Codina Estate, Inman
Milligan PDZ, Woodbine Operational Area
27th April, 3061
1600 hours (0800 hrs on local 28 hr cycle)
A few hours earlier, Finn had met Raymond in the palatial manor.
“Raymond, you owe me, right?” Finn leaned over Raymond’s desk, his posture threatening.
“Yeah, I owe you quite a bit. It’s thanks to you and Lady Kalinska that my brother has been withdrawn from the affairs of the Trivet.”
Raymond continued, “Of course, you only did it for Lady Kalinska. So,” he smirked, “how should I repay you?”
“Viscount Codina has an extensive garden greenhouse. His daughter is hosting a tea party, and I need to go get Lady Kalinska, but I don’t have any connections to the Viscount.”
“Oh I see. So, you want me to visit the Viscount’s estate because you’re worried about her, is that it?”
“...”
“No problem! I assume that could make us even?”
“And anybody who reads it would agree that it’s the romance of the century! The millennium, even! So anyway, I came here to look for the rare hardcover edition. At the risk of appearing rude, I took the liberty of asking Viscount Rason and some of his men to escort me here. But who would have guessed!”
The rambling Raymond sneaked a glance at Anastasia and Finn. “That Viscount Rason’s fiancee, Lady Kalinska, would also be here. So now, how could I separate these two who would be married soon just because I’m on a mission of my own?”
Anastasia just felt more and more confused as Raymond talked, wondering why he was doing this.
Raymond smiled stupidly at her. “You’re welcome! No need to thank me. And so, this is how I came to visit this beautiful garden.” Then, as though realizing something, he added, “Ah, please pardon me! I didn’t expect there to be so many people here, and it seems, in my excitement, my greetings have gone on for quite some time.”
He turned to Finn. “Please continue what you were saying, Viscount Rason.”
Finn faced Pence squarely. “What you just said was ridiculous. Are you trying to insult a warrior’s honor?”
Pence asked calmly. “What do you mean, Viscount Rason?”
“What you suggest is unacceptable for any warrior.” He turned to the others. “Did you all know how Avryl Showers died? She didn’t die in honourable battle.” He paused for effect. “She was murdered in cold blood by one of her subordinates! That traitor is a loathsome being who has no business speaking about honour.” He glared at Pence.
The people around the table gasped in surprise. Anastasia, who knew all this already, realized Finn knew, but for some reason, could not name Pence directly. And she could not say anything either, since Anastasia Kalinska was not supposed to know.
Pence raised an eyebrow. “Oh my. What you’re saying is quite dangerous, Viscount Rason. Conceding to the victor when defeat is all but assured is simply common sense. That traitor helped the Inner Sphere defeat the clans. And besides, it was another traitor who gave away the secrets of the Exodus Road… his name was Trent, I believe.”
Finn frowned. “Regardless of the circumstances, betraying a rightful commander and abandoning loyalty is not something a warrior should ever do. Trent paid for his betrayal with his life in the Great Refusal, and nobody can ever say he was a coward who would shoot an unprepared foe in the back.” Unlike you, was the unstated addition that probably only Anastasia and Pence picked up on. “For you to denigrate somebody’s sacrifices and courage just makes me sick.”
Before Pence could respond, Finn continued, “A warrior should never betray their nation, but instead defend it against all threats.” He turned to Vince, “Isn’t that right, Leftenant Codina?”
Vince Codina looked embarrassed as he nodded. “Oh uh, yes, that’s right.”
Pence asked, “Even if they’re in the wrong?”
Finn replied, “Do you not understand, or just pretending not to?”
“Then, Viscount Rason, let me ask you. Would you still do what you do if it meant all your soldiers losing their lives?”
Anastasia felt the icy grip around her heart. It was a question that had plagued her since her initial Trial of Position where she achieved the rank of Star Commander. Despite all the harsh sibko training, there was still a corner of her mind that could not help but quail at the thought of just tossing her troops into a meat grinder like what happened during Bulldog. There is no such war that does not require the sacrifice of soldiers, quiaff?
“Enough with your pathetic excuses, Sir Larouche. If their lives were really important, an officer would have found an honorable way to preserve their lives, like what Star Colonel Logan Moon did for the Sixth Jaguar Dragoons. And these soldiers would also have made their choices. At the very least, Star Captain Avryl Showers did her duty as a mechwarrior of her clan. There is no need for cause or justification.”
His gaze was piercing and fierce. “If I was the traitor who killed Avryl Showers, not even her name would have ever crossed my lips again. No matter how ashamed I would be of my own cowardice.”
Anastasia stared at Finn. Why is he…?
Pence sat silently in the face of Finn’s harsh rebuke.
Finn snarled. “Looks like you’re run out of excuses. What you suggested was not just betrayal, but abandoning the very ethos of a warrior. It doesn’t matter who holds the gun, or pilots the mech. All that matters is whether you live or die the right way.”
Why? Anastasia thought. Why is he saying what I wanted to say? Why did it have to be Finn, my most tenacious enemy in my previous life?
“Hahaha!” Pence broke the tension with laughter. “Viscount Finn, you are truly an exemplary warrior.”
Finn continued to glare. “And you bring shame on our profession. I’m not surprised that you can laugh in a situation like this. It seems that you’ve been able to escape criticism by silencing other people like this every time.” He concluded, his tone hard. “I think you are the one who never should have become a mechwarrior.”
The mirth in Pence’s eyes disappeared, replaced by a baleful glare. Of course questioning his status as a warrior would strike hard at his ego. No matter what, Pence was a trueborn mechwarrior of the clans, being a mechwarrior was ingrained in his very bones.
“Viscount Rason.” Pence pushed his chair back and stood to his feet. “I stand by the fact that Avryl Shower’s death was necessary to reduce the number of lives lost in the war. Even if it took a traitor to accomplish that. You cannot deny that fact.”
Finn replied, “Do you think you can still justify your way of thinking with such excuses?”
“Excuses? I know you won’t believe me, no matter what I do, but I’ll say one more thing. If I ever show any signs of betrayal, you can just kill me.”
That statement shocked everybody at the table.
Pence continued to smile. “You have the authority to do that, right?”
“I’ll be sure to do so.” Finn promised grimly, his gaze still full of anger.
Nobody present had ever seen young Viscount Rason showing such hostility before. Yes, he usually exhibited a sharp chillness, but to show almost open enmity… At that point, it was also clear to everybody that the tea party would end soon.
Pence sighed. “It seems I have ruined the mood. I just wanted to chat, but I think I’ve overstayed my welcome.”
“Oh, not at all, Sir Larouche.” One of the ladies tried to reassure him.
Pence bowed politely to Lady Codina. “Thank you for inviting me here, Lady Codina. I enjoyed spending time with you.”
“Oh,” she smiled, though even Anastasia thought it seemed just a bit forced. “Not at all. It was an honor to meet you, Sir Larouche.”
Just like that, the tea party dissipated into the air like mist in bright sunlight.
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===Unlikely admirer===
“Is it okay? You followed me out as soon as we left.” Anastasia looked out the window of her hoverlimo, Finn sitting opposite her. “Can we leave just like this? I thought you were responsible for escorting Sir Haynes…”
“There’s no need to worry,” he reassured her. “I just brought him along with me as an excuse to get you out of there.”
“What? You did that to Sir Haynes because of me? Is that even allowed?” Anastasia felt flustered. “I mean, why did you have to…?”
Finn huffed a bit. “That’s because I knew the ladies at that tea party held no goodwill towards you. Besides, I don’t like it when my fiancee is in trouble.”
“Huh?” Anastasia could see some clarity in the situation now. “Hold on! In other words, you were worried about me?”
Finn avoided her gaze. “You’re always asking that.”
Anastasia felt like pressing further for answers, but there was a part of her that told her she might not like his answers, so she relented. Still, she had other things to ask about. “There is something else I’d like to ask you.” Her hands squeezed the fabric of her dress.
He did look at her this time. “Hmmm? What is it?”
“At the tea party… did you speak so harshly to Captain Larouche? To side with me since I’m your fiancee?”
Finn was silent for a moment, before he replied. “Not really.” He folded his arms across his chest. “That’s just what I personally thought.”
This surprised Anastasia.
“I am furious with him.”
“Furious?”
Finn’s face showed extreme disgust. “Maybe I never told you because I didn’t even want to mention it, but I despise that man.” She could see him grinding his teeth in an attempt to control his anger. “I hate his guts.”
“Why? Why do you hate him so much? Is it because he was a Lyran?” She just remembered that the man who killed her was now supposedly Spencer Larouche, an officer from the Lyran Alliance, and not Pence Lamongue, former Smoke Jaguar abtakha.
He shook his head. “That’s not it.” His gaze was fierce, then the anger seeped away slightly. “It’s because of the warrior mentioned at the tea party, Avryl Showers. I met her during the war. Fought her several times too.”
Anastasia just managed to mask her surprise. Why did my name suddenly come up?
“What about that woman?” She felt a bit strange, talking about herself in the third person.
“Not ‘that woman’.” He frowned, as though chiding her gently.
“What?”
“But… ‘that mechwarrior’. Avryl was an exemplary mechwarrior, regardless of gender or allegiance. She was someone I deeply respected.”
Anastasia was speechless. In her battles with Finn, he had never shown anything of this!
He continued, “Her only misfortune was that she was born a Smoke Jaguar. Ah no,” he seemed to arrive at a new conclusion. “Come to think of it, it was because she was a Smoke Jaguar that she was able to become such an outstanding mechwarrior. And to be honest, it wouldn’t have happened here in the Trivet, or maybe even in the rest of the Federated Commonwealth.”
He looked out the window of the hoverlimo, at the trees lining the road. “I used to think that she was just an unusual woman, but she proved that to be untrue.”
“What do you mean?”
He seemed to be lost in his memories as he talked. “As I said, Avryl Showers was an amazing mechwarrior. She was the Black Lotus, feared across the entire border for her daring and skill. However, she was killed by a traitor within her own unit. On that day, I went into their base on Garstedt and saw her dead body with my own eyes. I felt so sorry for her.”
“To be killed by a traitor, denied the chance to die honorably in battle, and then to be insulted like that? I just couldn’t take it.” He clenched his hands into fists on his lap. “She shouldn’t have died like that… That shit bastard…” He shifted his gaze to Anastasia, and stopped mid-sentence.
Tears streamed down Anastasia’s cheeks, dripping onto her expensive dress.
Startled, Finn quickly crouched in front of Anastasia. “I’m sorry! I wasn’t considerate of your feelings and behaved rashly!”
Not noticing the confusion on her face, he said, “I couldn’t control my emotions and scared you!”
“Huh?”
“No, what I mean is… I had no intention of getting angry at you or hurting you. Maybe we should stop the limo and let you get some fresh air outside! I’m so sorry, my lady.”
She looked down at his anxious face, while her wet tears dripped down to her hands. Somehow, the juxtaposition of the two seemed to settle her a bit.
“What’s with that face…” she mumbled. Who knew the fierce and uncompromising Warhog Finn Rason could make this kind of expression? She used the long sleeves of her dress to wipe off her tears, while a smirk grew on her face. “I see.”
“My lady?”
I became a mechwarrior for my clan to restore the Star League. In the end, all that is left are insults against a foolish woman who refused to admit her cause was lost… but this man was angry for me on my behalf.
She slumped down from her seat to join Finn on the small floor space between the seats.
This mechwarrior on the other side, who I fought so hard against during the war… she rested her head against his chest. …thought I was worthy.
“Thank you…”
Finn now looked confused. “Huh? For what?”
Anastasia replied, “I mean it, I’m so grateful…”
They stayed there for long moments, before Anastasia asked, “Don’t you find me strange?” She sighed. “Even I know my behavior isn’t normal.”
“Yes, you are.” He smirked. “But I don’t know what you’ve been through… or all the details of the situation you’re in. If a person is hurt, it’s hard to pretend nothing’s wrong and carry on as usual. So don’t worry, it’s not like I can’t handle it.”
He continued, “But more than that, I’m just happy that we share the same thoughts on some things. I even feel we’re starting to understand each other better.”
He smiled at her. “You’re always doing the things I’ve only ever thought about. Don’t worry, I’ll always have your back.”
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===Scheming in Shadows===
In Venice Codina’s room, Selina Seydoux wrung her hands nervously.
Codina Estate, Inman
“Lady Seydoux,” said Venice, “Just what kind of person do you take me for? Not only did you pull that stunt with the chair, but you even involved one of my maids in your schemes!”
“No… that’s…” Lady Seydoux looked away timidly, trying to find words to explain herself.
“Did I ask you to do so? I’m very curious to know from where you got this confidence to behave this way.”
Lady Seydoux finally mustered the words, “It’s just a misunderstanding, Lady Codina! What I mean is… at the Feast of Bounty banquet… I remember you saying that Lady Kalinska needed to be put in her place! So I…”
“Ahh…” Venice stared coldly at Lady Seydoux. “That explains your actions at the banquet. And because you carelessly let slip information about the investigation you heard from my brother, you put me and him in an awkward position.”
Lady Seydoux replied anxiously, “That’s only Lady Kalinska says whatever she pleases! Don’t you see? I did it for you!” She continued, “It was the same today. She showed such disrespect to Captain Sir Spencer Larouche! She got all worked up over that clan mechwarrior and completely ruined the mood! Maybe she felt a sense of unity with her since they’re both nicknamed ‘Lotus’... I wouldn’t be surprised, after all, Lady Kalinska is always strange and eccentric!”
Seeing that Venice did not interject, Lady Seydoux pressed on, “You must have thought so too, right? You invited her to the tea party to crush her, isn’t it? I knew what you wanted and just did the dirty work for you.”
Venice trembled and mumbled, “Stop it…”
“Isn’t that what you wanted? You should be thanking me…”
“Be quiet!” Venice finally burst out. “It was supposed to be just a normal tea party! Drinking tea and chatting like always!” She trembled as she spoke, too distraught to control her anger and frustration.
“Lady Codina?”
“That’s all it was… And it was ruined!”
“Both Viscount Rason and Sir Larouche came as well. Even Sir Raymond Haynes made an appearance! Wouldn’t that be considered a success?”
“No, you don’t understand!” Venice thought angrily. That wasn’t the purpose of the tea party! The attendees’ popularity or status aren’t important! What was important was to hold the metaphoric high ground, trusted to organize such events, in effect controlling the flow of information and rumors, along the capability to influence events.
But then, Lady Kalinska was attacked with petty tricks right from the start. And while that was settled and she didn’t seem to take visible offense, the arrival of unexpected guests like her bumbling fool of a brother and Sir Spencer Larouche quickly caused things to devolve into chaos. Then Viscount Rason’s visit must have been a warning not to trouble Lady Kalinska in the future, along with the presence of Raymond Haynes to back him up.
Venice sighed. It’ll be difficult to try and invite Lady Kalinska again… This is so unfair…
She suddenly felt something was off and strode over to the doors of her bedroom, startling Lady Seydoux. Venice flung them open and looked out along the hallway in both directions. Was I imagining things? I felt like somebody was just here.
“Is there something wrong, my lady?” Lady Seydoux asked timidly.
Venice turned back to her. “No, it’s nothing. In any case, from now on you must be careful when you take such things to heart and think about the consequences of your actions.”
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A few meters away, in a side alcove, Raymond Haynes sighed in relief, and murmured to himself, “She is too sensitive.”
I’m not surprised, she would be a worthy opponent. He pondered Lady Venice Codina. Even at an early age, she had established herself as someone highly positioned in the Trivet’s social hierarchy on skill alone.
She’s similar to himself, mused Raymond as he carefully stepped away cheerfully. Considering what he had just heard, it seemed Lady Codina had no intentions of harming Lady Kalinska. Instead, she was upset that her tea party was ruined by the unexpected guests.
He froze in his steps with a sudden realization. That Lady Codina was actually capable of such anger… he chuckled to himself, thinking of how her public persona had always been so calm and composed.
There’s still one more thing, he thought. Lady Kalinska’s behavior was certainly strange. What reason would a noblewoman of the Trivet possibly have to get so upset over a story of a mere Smoke Jaguar mechwarrior? Could it be because she didn’t like to see women demeaned in any way?
He shook his head. That didn’t seem to be the reason. Perhaps like Finn, she was disgusted hearing how Larouche tried to justify betrayal. Raymond tsked to himself, chiding himself for not paying more attention to Anastasia Kalinska.
He also noted that it was unusual for Finn to get so worked up, and the way he had talked to Larouche… what exactly did Finn know about Spencer Larouche? Raymond had some intelligence sources, and they were adamant on one thing - there had been no mechwarrior named Spencer Larouche in the Lyran Alliance Armed Forces.
Come to think of it… it wasn’t the first time Lady Kalinska had displayed hostile behaviour towards Spencer Larouche. There was that incident in the guest lounge, then when they met her at the drop-port. Both times, she displayed nothing but hostility towards Larouche.
It couldn’t be because of the bandit attack on Altoona, that came later. But that had to have some effect. Spencer Larouche had been notorious amongst the nobles for being aloof and rarely participating in high society events, but this time he had even proactively invited himself to a tea party for ladies. Raymond had heard from his sources that the events on Altoona had reminded Larouche of his mortality and he was now hunting for a consort. It was only unfortunate that his nemesis Lady Kalinska was also invited.
Come on, Raymond, think. He toted up the data points he had from the conversation during the tea party.
A mechwarrior’s loyalty. The clan war. Betrayal. Avryl Showers, a Smoke Jaguar mechwarrior. What was the link? Raymond knew Finn probably knew more than he was letting on, especially with regards to the mysterious identity of Spencer Larouche, and Finn was also, in some mysterious way, close to Star Captain Avryl Showers.
When Finn had just returned to the Trivet, Raymond had roped him into an extended drinking session where Finn had drunkenly lamented her death. If he didn’t know better, he would have thought Finn had a crush on his rival.
There’s a connection there somewhere, Raymond was sure of it. He had always loved a good mystery, and this seemed to be a classic right out of the detective novels or political thrillers.
And if the secrets revealed could benefit his plans, all the better.
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==Chapter Notes==
*; Chapter Note from the Author : The participants of the tea party:Venice Codina (host), Anastasia Kalinska, Selina Seydoux, Jenia Garcia, Emilie Estarra, Axelle AimeeThe party crashers: Vince Codina, Spencer Larouche, Raymond Haynes, Finn Rason
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Chapter 25