WP3025 Chpt 35

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==Chapter 35 - Winged Praxis (Battletech 3015 CYOA)==
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===Working out Training===
CMC Training Command, Thistledown Spaceport
Salonika (Continent), Canopus IV
Magistracy of Canopus
18th June, 3015
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I was deep into training reports on the passel of Cowboys, Indios, Norteños, Jews, and various gringos that had showed up hoping for a shot at Mechwarrior glory, trying to choose who got a seat and ready to do just about anything else when Zelko knocked on my door. Looking up, I felt the odd conflict of being grateful to see the Mechwarrior who I'd still like to deck on a regular basis.
 
Deciding, on balance, that the paperwork was the greater evil than a man who had killed my comrades but decided to work for me, I waved him in. "What's this about, Zelko? Did you have a new idea for our air defense?"
 
He grinned. "Well, yes, actually, but that wasn't what I wanted to talk to you about." The man, who had been dubbed by our student mercenaries "No-Fly", had taken to the Star League goodies with a vengeance. What he had done with the Pumas Tanks and Kintaros was bad enough. I remembered all too well what he could do coordinating a bunch of LRM wielding 'mechs and Quickscell carriers. He didn't have near the fire density in missiles coordinating what we had, but with the Artemis IV systems allowing cross-talk between missiles in a salvo, each shot was that much deadlier. But that paled in comparison to what the Polluxes had allowed him to do. The SLDF gun-based ADA could reach out and swat you at ridiculous ranges, and if you got close, the damn things got all the deadlier as they started spitting LBX cluster shells.
 
"What's the latest horror your twisted brain has cooked up for honest pilots the Sphere over?" I sighed, figuring that I might as well indulge the man in his latest devilry. He was awfully good at his job.
 
He shrugged. "Just an idea. I was thinking we might be able to get some of the early-block Sabres to paint enemy fighters with their TAGs so we could use the homing rounds for air defense."
 
I crossed my arms, considering. Then I shook my head. "Wouldn't work." I said.
 
"Don't think the new pilots could do it?" he asked.
 
"Maybe?" I said, continuing to mull the idea over. "The TAG autotracker is pretty good, and it's got wide gimbal limits. But it's not designed for dogfighting. We could test that, maybe tweak the tracking logic. The big problem is the missile."
"They work fine for timed detonation, even proxy fuses." he pointed out.
 
"Yeah, but the homing terminal attack profile is for something that maneuvers in mostly two-dimensions and is always downhill. I'm not sure they even have the control surfaces to go after a maneuvering air target." I kept thinking about it, then shook my head again. "No, I don't think it'd work."
 
He deflated a bit. "You don't even want to try it?"
 
"No," I said. "Too many things to go wrong in the kill chain, and those fighters are likely better used on traditional BARCAP or strike and interdiction missions. The idea of anti-air Arrow rounds has a lot of merit, though." After all, it was something that had been figured out in the future. If we could get that cracked…I was going to have to plant the idea with Wilheim and see what he could come up with after he finished working on the mech-scale stunner. I would adore being able to start our aerospace engagements with a salvo of Fox 3s when everyone else was restricted to internal weapons. I put it to the side for the moment. "So, if not that madcap idea, what did you want to talk to me about?"
 
"Well," he said, grin reestablishing itself. "I may have solved your problem with lack of trainers."
 
My eyes went wide. "You're kidding. You found a line on ASFs?"
 
"Not exactly," he said. "I was talking with one of the new medical recruits, and she told me the HHA uses Hoppers for a lot of their emergency response needs on outlying worlds. Turns out that Piper Aerospace has a factor right here at Thistledown!" He spread his hands in an obvious 'tah-dah'.
 
I thought about the hardy little shuttles. They were tough little aerospace flyers well adapted to rough country operations, but they had anemic thrust. I knew some people used Quickscell designed conversion kits to make them into something approaching a proper ASF, though I shuddered at the thought of flying a light fighter that couldn't break 3Gs of thrust with the throttle firewalled. "Okay," I said. "I can see grabbing some of those for replacements if we're desperate. But why does this solve our problem?"
 
A look of puzzlement crossed his face. "Because they're the primary aerospace trainer for most academies?" he asked.
 
"Huh." I said. "We didn't use them at LMS. We went straight from fusion arcjets to proper ASFs."
 
"Yeahhhh," he said. "LMS isn't your typical academy. Didn't it strike you as weird that a bunch of cadets could take on a regular unit?"
 
"Now that you mention it," I said, "Yes." As I thought back to my local memories, that was weird. We had been fired up to fight, but there was that creeping doubt at the back of all of our minds. Our cause might have been righteous, or so we had thought, but we were students in light fighters up against battle-tested regulars. "I suppose it wasn't worth thinking about before and during, and after…" I shoved down some intrusive memories before they could grab hold with a frown.
 
Zelko nodded, ignoring my duel with my memories. "LMS gets the cream of the crop when it comes to ASF potential. They can trust that cadets there can handle high-performance machines. It's why the Rose and the Guards were coming to grab New Olympia. LMS and AMI represent a big chunk of the League's high-potential warriors."
 
I suppressed the desire to snap at him about his involvement in that operation. "But other academies can't trust that," I said instead, refocusing on the Hoppers. "So they use Hoppers instead?"
 
"Easy to fly, rugged, can be adapted to carry fighter weapon systems," he said. "And they have a two-seat cockpit standard, so the instructor can ride along, no problem. They're not high performance, so they're targets to any real opponent, but it's a good step along the way to a proper fighter."
 
I nodded. "I can see it. They'd be good for teaching pilots how to deal with opponents with stronger thrust curves as well. And for advanced pilots, they might make decent aggressors for simming a low-quality opfor."
 
"Or notional heavies, yes sir. I had that thought for the air defense section."
 
"Good work, Zelko," I said grudgingly. "You said you heard from the HHA that they use Hoppers for backwoods work?"
 
He nodded. "Yes sir, that's what she said."
 
"I'm going to drop a line to Stratios Chambers," I said, "feel out if we might be able to work a contract with them to provide transport services and security as a form of advanced training." I let a smirk cross my face. "It'd probably buy us some goodwill if the docs are showing up in shuttles in CMC colors, don't you think?" I started typing up a message. "I'll talk with Cliffhanger about this, but you might have just solved some real problems for us."
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===Question of desire===
Landynski Compound
Salonika (Continent), Canopus IV
Magistracy of Canopus
16th June, 3015
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"A moment of your time, Colonel?"
 
I turned to see Rezan Landynski standing in a Canopian-cut plum suit without any retainers. I shifted the three-weapon mask under my arm and nodded, feeling very outdressed in my fencing jacket. It wasn't an uncommon feeling for me in the Landynski Compound, but neither version of me had gone in much at all for high fashion. "Of course," I said, remembering Terri's briefings on the possibility this might represent. "though I do have a spar scheduled with my wife."
 
"I won't keep you unduly," said Rezan with the ghost of a smile. "I hear that you've been in contact with Piper Aerospace?"
 
I nodded. "We're in talks with them to acquire some of their shuttles to use as trainers."
 
"And the Human Health Administration," she stated. "I hear that they're taking a trip out to your new Jumpship."
 
"They're picking up some samples I thought might be of interest to them," I said. "I'm sure you know what I'm talking about."
 
"I do." she said. "Though none of my sources got to see too much. Too busy flinching when some of your people pointed a gun their way."
 
My eyes narrowed. "Do you really expect me to believe that you don't have jump coordinates for Zikaron?"
 
"Is that what you're calling that brown dwarf?" she asked. "No, I won't insult your intelligence. I also know that you didn't leave anything there. You do realize that you could have sold those weapons you destroyed to the MAF?"
 
I shook my head. "I'm sure the Magestrix has plenty of strategic weapons at her disposal. The Inner Sphere needs fewer of those things, not more."
 
"Weapons in stockpiles are hardly a threat," she said. "And it was a chance for profit."
 
"We'll simply have to agree to disagree on this," I said. "Five minutes to midnight is close enough for me. Besides, I can't unring the bell."
 
"That's true enough." She folded her arms and regarded me.
 
"What do you want?" I asked, weary of the verbal fencing.
 
"I believe that is my question to you." she said. At my raised eyebrow, she went on. "What do you want, Colonel Zalman?"
 
I grunted a laugh. "To unring the bell," I said. "No," I continued to her uncomprehending expression, "never mind. I want to put together my unit as best as I can. Everything else is conditional on getting CMC stood up properly."
 
"Have you decided on what you're doing for transport of your extra units?" she asked.
 
"Problem for later," I said. "Still exploring solutions."
 
"The Landynski Syndicate may be able to source something suitable," she said. "It would help to know what you are looking for."
 
"An Overlord would be nice," I said. "Maybe an Excalibur. I wouldn't say no to a Colossus either."
 
"The house's resources do not stretch that far," she said. "Your father was good at finding Star League remnants, but not that good. It may be possible to acquire a damaged Overlord or Excalibur, but repairs would be difficult, and the price would be dear."
 
"I know," I said. "It's probably a matter of catch as catch can, and potentially modifying one of the Mules to be a halfway acceptable military egg. It's an issue of jump collars, really."
 
"We could ease access to Jumpships," said Rezan. "Even if we don't have a house ship available, we do have excellent relations amongst the traders in the area."
 
That would be useful but… "What's got you so helpful all of a sudden?"
 
"I am not a fool, Colonel," she said coldly. "It has become exceedingly clear to me that this house's fortunes will be linked to the success or failure of your unit. The late Contessa had us ready to ascend to the Durachi, but now none of that matters. A young girl sits at the head of our house, rather than an accomplished businesswoman. And our durable economic accomplishments are suddenly secondary to the fact that an outsider who shares blood with the house has come out of nowhere to start a mercenary unit, something likely to be shot to pieces within years."
 
"Gringa," I said, "I get that you don't like me…"
 
"Who cares if I like you?" she snapped. "That doesn't matter. What matters is House Landynski's standing and fortunes. That is the only thing that concerns me right now." She glared at me. "I will not see this house fall, no matter how poorly the former Contessa chose her heir."
 
I returned the glare. "That's speaking awfully poor of your Contessa. Both of em, come to think," I drawled.
 
"Please," she sneered. "The girl spent a fortune to bring you here in palatial luxury, all because she wanted to meet her 'uncle'." A sharp shake of the head sent a lock of her hair whipping across her face. "She's little more than a figurehead for Kasparova. And what little she isn't makes things worse." She drew the errant lock back behind her ear. "But this isn't important. Your damn mercenaries. Those are important."
 
"Don't see how it's your business?" I said. "Esther and Joseph maybe. We're sharing their land, but you're not involved."
 
"Of course I'm involved," she hissed. "Even since Sahar declared you guests and brought you into the house, remember? You and your thugs are now the face of House Landynski. Any day now, you will be summoned to meet with House Centrella, you realize this, don't you?"
 
"I had a suspicion." I lied, having already gotten the summons.
 
"A League man being brought before the ruling house," she said. "Because you have a fresh regiment of troops, and the Magistracy needs that. Which means our house needs you to succeed. We need you not to get your troops slaughtered and your vehicles destroyed. We need your wild men to show far more discipline than I think they're capable of. Because you have mechs, and now that's what the house will be judged by." She gave me a withering look. "So no matter what I think of you, I'm going to make sure that you succeed. And maybe I'll find that you aren't the disaster I expected."
I cocked my head to the side. "Think I trust about...eighty percent of that." I said flatly.
 
"Excuse me?" she asked.
 
"Eh," I shrugged. "All that makes sense. But there's a reason you're making this move now. Not sure what, but I figure if all this is obvious enough for me to follow, your sister ought to be able to do so too. Maybe not Rebin, but hey." I hefted the three-weapon mask in one hand. "So, yeah, something else. Anyway, thanks for the fencing match, but I'm going to go do the type I like now." I said, turning and striding away. "Good to know I can count on your support, though."
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===Negotiations with the Magestrix ===
Centrella Palace
Salonika (Continent), Canopus IV
Magistracy of Canopus
21st June, 3015
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Kyalla Centrella was a distractingly beautiful woman.
 
I knew she had a poisonous hatred and suspicion towards the Free Worlds League that would have done a Taurian proud. I knew she was a questionable ruler at best who would be deposed by her daughter in the original timeline. I knew she was a twisty-minded noble who wanted to tie my unit as close as she could to her house. I knew she didn't hold an ounce of respect for me. Hell, I knew I was flanked by my wife, who kept me entirely satisfied alongside Terri!
 
It didn't stop my eyes from cataloging every detail of the gown-clad body of the leader of the nation I was standing in and 'what ifs' from creeping into the back of my mind.
 
It was enough to make me wonder if the rumor from the original Periphery book were true and Kyalla had a mastery of potions. Something aerosolized, maybe?
 
Or maybe I was inhabiting the body of a twenty-year-old fighter pilot who hadn't figured out that sometimes it was a bad idea to chase after every vaguely available skirt.
 
I looked to the side, catching a disapproving look on the face of Colonel Van Dame, the commander of the Royal Guards. She schooled her expression into a neutral mask, but I could imagine that it galled her to watch a twenty-year-old stripling who had served the League drool over her liege lady and then pretend that he was a colonel like her.
 
I decided to fix my eyes on the twin moons of Cybele and Inanna. They made a striking backdrop for the Magestrix as she looked out over the Crimson skyline. Neon lightspill reflected off her dark skin, highlighting her high cheekbones and the toned muscles in her arms.
 
Annnnnd I was ogling the Magestrix again. Dammit.
 
"What do you know of my policies?" she asked as she surveyed her domain.
 
Assuming that was directed at me, I cleared my throat. "I know you've been pushing social programs that look focused on economic development heavily since taking leadership. I can't say I've read too heavily into the specifics." And what I had seen didn't really fill me with confidence. Oh, the economy might strengthen, but I doubted it would do anything for the huddled masses in Crimson's slums. "You seem determined to provide for the welfare of the Canopian people, your Grace," I lied.
 
"Oh, I am, Colonel," she said, turning to regard me for the first time since I had been shown into the room of silks and opalescent marble. "I am." I did my best to keep my eyes on her face, even as I saw her grey eyes sweep up and down my body. "Someone needs to be. I imagine you are familiar with what that means to most Canopians."
 
I nodded. "For the government to stay out of peoples' way, your Grace." A typically libertarian mindset, one that could have both soaring advantages and dire consequences.
 
"What do you think of that?" she asked with an unreadable expression.
 
"I'm broadly sympathetic," I said. "I can't say I'm much of a fan of governments telling me what I can and can't do, excluding banning unjustified harm to others." I frowned. "But that's not all a government can do."
 
"Yes," she said. A small smile crept onto Kyalla's lips. "To think that it would be an outsider who understands me. It almost makes me doubt myself." She looked over to an oil painting of a heroic [Kossandra Centrella], who stood in the cracked canopy of a Hector overlooking the developing Astarte. It was an interesting bit of historical revisionism. Kossandra was driving an Icarus II at the time it depicted.
 
I remembered Terri's coaching. I wanted to play up my Magistracy ties as much as possible. I didn't want to point out just how much Canopus had in common with the League. "Hybrid vigor, your Grace. I am a Canopian's son."
 
She favored me with a nod. "So you are. And you're right. Restrictions are not all a government can do. People say that a government which rules best rules least. I disagree. I think a government must work for its people, allow them a space to thrive in." 
 
My eyes widened a bit. I hadn't expected that from Kyalla. My eyes jumped back to her, standing between a pair of columns that had been shaped into suggestive curves.
 
She went on. "It is a mother's duty, after all, to guide and provide for her children, don't you agree?"
 
"I think my eema would agree with you," I said carefully. "And I never did care much to argue with her." A blatant lie. Cowboys argued. It was what we did. But showing honor to a mother's opinion should play well here. "Your grace." I hastily added.
 
"Very good, Colonel." she said with a smile. "What about my policies with regard to outsiders?"
 
"I've heard it described as service for service, your Grace." I said. "I think I may have been exposed to the concept on my way here."
 
"Do tell." she commanded.
 
"I had the pleasure of traveling here with a Capellan doctor and her father." I said. "I understand that she was getting the chance to study Canopian medicine in exchange for her father designing a fishery of some sort. Seemed like a good deal for the Magistracy."
 
"Du Wei, yes. And Du Lien is one of five doctors who gets the chance to study here. Do you object to Canopian medicine spreading to the Confederation?" she asked, eyes sharp.
 
"Not my place," I said. "But even if it was, no, I can't say I'm bothered by people having access to better medicine, your Grace. And if I was suspicious, I'd observe that a long luxury cruise is an excellent start towards seducing doctors to stay in the Magistracy after their studies are done."
 
"If you were suspicious, Colonel?" she asked with an arched eyebrow.
 
"If, your Grace. But like I've said, it's not my place to say."
 
She stepped forward and patted my cheek. I could feel Diane tense behind my shoulder. It was probably a good thing we were unarmed. "You do credit to your coaches," she said. "What do you think of my policy?"
 
"I'm a mercenary, your Grace. It makes plenty of sense to me." Though if she knew exactly who I had been talking about with respect to the Dus, that might mean she was micromanaging…which could lead to the programs being ineffective at scale. On the other hand, she might have just been briefed on me for this conversation. "It does seem like importing foreign expertise could have cultural implications, though."
 
"Oh," she said, smiling as her spicy perfume filled my nose, "I'm convinced that the Magistracy's charms can convince people to lay aside their misguided habits. Surely, you've thought about making a home here?"
 
I swallowed, wondering what sort of glare Vixen might be directing at the Magestrix to try and distract from the possible implications of that question. "The Magistracy and House Landynski have been very welcoming to me. Though honestly compels me to say that even if I never return, Cerillos will always be my home."
 
The Magestrix's eyes, which had been looking over my shoulder towards Vixen, snapped back to me. "You cannot mean to say that you prefer the Free Worlds League to the Magistracy, surely," she said in what sounded like a light tone of disbelief cloaking imminent violence.
 
Restraining myself from telling her not to call me Shirley, I shook my head and spoke truth. "The Trinity is Righteous Amongst the Stars. It bore me, raised me, made me what I am. The League discarded me. And in my hour of need, my Southwestern brothers and sisters answered my call. The League has no claim on me. Galisteo, Sierra, Cerillos? They and their people always will." I let myself become a touch less sincere, a bit more cynical. "Besides, that lets me recruit the best mech handlers in the Human Sphere. I'm happy to connect with my heritage in the Magistracy, and there is much I admire here. But my heart will always have an image of an Alamagordo sunset engraved on it. It's what I have to be, Canopian or no." 
 
I searched for meaning behind Kyalla's lovely features as she considered me, but the Magestrix's thoughts remained her own. As I started to wonder if I was going to have to try and fight my way out of the palace, a losing proposition even if I had been armed, her expression softened, and she favored me with a smile. "Well, I can hardly censure a subject for honesty, and I would be a poor Magestrix indeed if I made light of religious considerations." She took my arm and started walking, spicy perfume again filling my nostrils as she led me towards a seating pit in the floor, lined with plush cushions. Vixen and Colonel Van Dame followed along in our wake, each of them looking ready to commit violence, though on who was an open question for each. "Tell me, what do you plan to do with your mech handlers?"
 
"Training mostly," I said as I sat down across from the Magestrix. "For the moment, anyway. I'm hoping to set up a self-sustaining training command for each of our branches."
 
The Magestrix looked over to Colonel Van Dame, who was seated to her right, opposite of Diane. "Is this school going to be solely for the use of your unit?" asked the Royal Guards' commander.
 
"CMC's needs are its primary purpose," I said, "but I would be happy to see it capable of providing training services for other units. I'm sure reasonable tuition could be offered for local forces."
 
"Training contracts are a frequent enough job for mercenary units." allowed Van Dame.
 
I nodded to Vixen, who took up the thread. "That's very true, though normally those contracts have more to do with providing cadre for a local militia to whip it into shape in advance of a suspected attack." She snorted. "With the kicker that if the mercenary trainers are still there, they're supposed to defend against the attack alongside the militia."
 
"You can't blame the client for getting value out of the contract." said the colonel.
 
"If they're not paying garrison rates, you bet I can," said Vixen. "Don't get me wrong, I've done that sort of work, even without the garrison pay. But it's a dumb move. If the client's intel is off and the mercs move on before the attack, they're going to be relying on the militia on its own, and even if it is better that it was, that's probably not going to be enough." She leaned back. "And in the case that the mercs are sticklers for the contract, the militia is going to absolutely fall apart."
 
"Which doesn't apply in our case," I pointed out. "CMC's training command is a different sort of thing."
 
"When you're done with your training…your initial training, anyway," Kyalla said before I point out that training never truly ended. "What then?"
 
I looked over to Vixen, then back to the Magestrix, who had freed one leg from the slinky confines of her silken gown, folding it over her other leg, dark skin against silvery fabric. "That depends on the contracts available locally." I said. "Ideally, we'd go after a pirate band to start. Lower quality OpFor, cleans up the neighborhood, potential for salvage…good for morale."
 
"How historical." The Magestrix turned to Van Dame. "Holly?"
 
Van Dame's eyebrows drew together. "There's a few likely candidates. But there are higher priorities, Magestrix."
 
"With respect, Colonel," I said. "I'm looking to create a unit that will last. I'm not jumping into a meatgrinder before I'm sure I can wreck it with minimal mauling on my end. CMC will be ready for higher tier operations soon enough, but crawl, walk, run is the normal order for a reason."
 
"And if you're not offered a contract?" asked Van Dame with a scowl.
 
I thought about retorting that there was always someone looking for a pirate band eliminated. But I was trying to play nice. "I suppose it could be read as a good deed by House Landynski," I said with a shrug. "And it would mean full salvage rights. After that, who knows? It'll be dependent on how the unit performs."
 
"I thought your troops were excellent mech handlers," said the Magestrix.
 
"They are," I said. "but there's a difference between piloting and gunnery, and that doesn't even get into teamwork and tactics. Or cross-branch operations."
 
Van Dame gave me a grudging nod. "You do seem to have a head on your shoulders."
 
"I know enough to know that I've got plenty of challenges ahead of me," I said. "And that I should listen to experienced voices." I gestured towards my wife.
 
"And it doesn't take much to see that CMC will be more valuable to the Magistracy as a successful, lasting mercenary unit, rather than just one more flash in the pan. Thanks to my husband's good luck, we have the funding and the equipment to make a real go of it, even if that means a more limited set of ops to start." Vixen spread her hands.
"In all honesty," said Van Dame, "I'd much rather your equipment be in Royal Guard hands."
 
I raised an eyebrow, and Kyalla shook her head. "No, Colonel. We will not betray the principles of the Magistracy. As tempting as your materiel is, you are a Canopian citizen, and as such, entitled to protection from summary seizure of property. I do hope that you will cooperate with us to better the position of the Magistracy, of course." Her foot trailed along the side of my leg.
 
"I would be a fool to pass up employment with House Centrella, your Grace," I said, working very hard to keep my voice even as the Magestrix watched Vixen's face tighten.
 
"Very good," she said with a clap of her hands. "I think we can see our way towards waiving your mandatory military service in that case. Perhaps you could open a slot or two for promising MAF candidates in your training programs?"
"I don't recall the specifics off the top of my head," I said. "But I'm sure we can come to some sort of accommodation. Say a lance to start?"
 
"Very generous," she said graciously. "I do hope that you'll be ready for larger operations as soon as possible. There are opportunities I would like to take advantage of, and it's hard to say just how long they will remain available."
 
"Even if we're not," I offered, "garrison work is lower impact and would allow us to keep working up. That could free up a crack unit or two." I glanced over at Van Dame.
 
"What do you think, Holly?" asked the Magestrix. "Should we give Vernyce and the Iron Hand a chance to return?"
 
"The Cuirassiers stay." said the colonel flatly. "We can't leave Canopus exposed. But that could work."
 
"I imagine that Colonel Zalman would be happy to take a security contract," said Kyalla, favoring me with a smile full of incredibly white teeth.
 
Van Dame's sour look spoke worlds. "I'm sure he would. But the Cuirassiers need the downtime. The fighting on New Abilene was heroic, but it was costly. And while Major Varrikov is talented, she's new to her grade."
 
"Very talented," said the Magestrix, looking like a well-fed panther. "Speaking of New Abilene, are the Girin there keeping their heads down?"
 
"We're seeing signs of hiring again," said the colonel. "But so far there haven't been incidents."
"A problem for later then," said Kyalla. "So, Colonel," she said. "Let's say we find you a pirate band to crush, and then we can see about finding your unit some more lucrative," her tongue moistened her lips, "and enjoyable employment to follow."
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===Seething from the Interview===
Red Rivers, City of Crimson
Salonika (Continent), Canopus IV
Magistracy of Canopus
22nd June, 3015
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"I'm telling you, T-bone, the bitch wanted to eat him!"
 
Ever since we had left the Centrella Palace, Vixen had been keeping up a running series of complaints about the Magestrix and her apparent intention to seduce me. In plenty of realms, it would have been grounds for her imprisonment and potentially even execution..
 
"So not my kink." I muttered as I looked for our destination, stepping over a gutter filled with opaque stagnant water.
 
"She has all the kinks." hissed Diane, kicking a discarded food carton.
 
"Vixen," said Terri, soothingly. "We knew that was likely to happen. We even know we might be forced into a place where we can't reasonably say no."
 
"I know, I know," said Vixen. "I just wasn't ready for her to be so blatant about it." She folded her arms across her chest and glared at an apartment building that had more cardboard in it's windows than glass.
 
Terri kindly didn't point out that Di's place in my bed had come about from the same sort of political maneuvering, but I could see the words locked in her chest. She looked about us to make sure none of the people around us were listening in and lowered her voice. "Look, the important thing is that the Magestrix seems willing to play ball with Gid."
 
"I doubt she'd settle for one." groused Diane.
 
Terri rolled her eyes. "Do you think that she was vamping all over Gid to piss you off, or because she wanted something from him?"
 
"Two things can both be true," I pointed out, taking a turn down a crooked alley where both blocks of buildings leaned on each other, leaving only occasional cracks of sky.
 
"She absolutely pissed me off." said my wife.
 
"Why did she do, not what she did, Vixen." said Terri, trying to refocus on the politics and step-hopping over what I hoped was animal waste. "Remember, she just had her husband executed for a coup attempt. She could be trying the standard Canopian snatch play."
 
I snorted in laughter. "The thought crossed my mind."
 
"Or trying to buy your loyalty through your gonads, Gid," said Terri. We emerged into what had once probably been a rather nice park. It wasn't any more. Graffiti covered the tarnished plate with the name of the noble who had provided the funds for it. Even with the decay, people filled it, reaching out for the sliver of green space they could inhabit. 
 
"I'm married to Duster, though." pointed out Diane.
 
"That could have been the point of the blatant seduction," pointed out Terri. "Make you want to divorce Gid by making him be blatantly unfaithful in front of you. Or it could have been her hitting at a League woman. Gossip says her husband might have been getting support from the League for his coup."
 
"Doesn't make sense." Vixen said. "Why would a Canopian care? And it's not like I don't share him." She gestured toward Terri, who frowned. "Or have him shared with me, whatever."
 
"Poly doesn't necessarily mean open," I pointed out, having finally spotted the second to last landmark. "And she might have figured a League woman would care. You obviously do."
 
Vixen grumbled but nodded. "Point."
 
"I think it's pretty obvious she wants something from me." I said. "Damn if I know the specifics, but I got away with more than I probably should have in that conversation. She also definitely hates the League."
 
"Yeah, calling yourself a Cerillos boy nearly sent things sideways, Duster." said Vixen. "I think she landed on it being a challenge to make you forget about your home."
 
A deep frown etched itself into my face. "I really do not want to sleep with our employer, no matter what they look like."
 
"House Lords, even lesser ones, don't tend to hear 'no' with any regularity." pointed out Terri.
 
"Maybe they should," I muttered, then perked up, spotting the Magdalene convent that was our destination. "Ah, here we are!"
 
My lovers looked up at the erotic sculptures on display. "Are we sure that this is a convent?" asked Vixen. "Some of those are awfully explicit."
 
I had to admit, she was right. Jesus was having a lot more fun in this statuary than he did in the icons back home. Those were not faces of agony. Probably was more accurate to his likely historical looks than the long-haired goy hanging off the cross that norteños tended to favor, too.
"If you wanted to have some fun, we could have done it at the compound." said Terri. "Or we could have got a hotel room. We didn't have to go to a brothel."
 
"Mary Magdelene was a prostitute." I said. "This is the place. Come on. We're running late."
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*;Notes from the Author : This chapter was an interesting one to write, particularly dealing with Kyalla Centrella. She's a character we don't get too much of in canon, and what we do have is mostly bad Canopian stereotypes. I hope that I was able to portray a version of her character who is reasonably informed by canon without being an utter cartoon. Curious to see people's opinions on her.Anyway, next time we engage with the Magdelene Church proper, and there might even be some action.
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