WP3025 Chpt 24

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==Chapter 24 - Winged Praxis (Battletech 3015 CYOA)==
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===Seeking Terri===
Dropship Queen Anne, Planetary Transfer Burn
Fanardir System
Magistracy of Canopus, Periphery
24th March, 3015
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I sighed as I got to my cabin. I had spent most of the rest of the day repeating the same conversation with my enlisted staff as they made their way through the primer on the Magistracy. It mostly went: 
 
"Really, sir?" 
"Yes, really." 
 
"Really really?" 
 
"Really really really, even." 
 
"This is crazy."
 
"It's how it is."
 
Or something to that effect. It was a bit annoying, but at least it didn't take much brainpower to engage with. More annoyingly from my point of view, I wasn't able to find Terri to talk to her at all. She wasn't in her quarters, the lounge, working on her fighter, working on the tactical simulator, hiding in one of the designated 'solitude spots', or even bitching to Socks about Candy or me. At one point, panic had driven me up to the bridge to check if any of the airlocks had been cycled, which thank the Lord they hadn't been. Solo spacewalks under thrust were not a safe proposition.
 
But it all added up to Terri actively avoiding me, which I couldn't blame her for, even if it hurt. Especially if it hurt, really. Our relationship had been practically defined by the cans and can'ts of dynastic politics from the very beginning. It really sucked when things were actually working and going in a direction that we both wanted for the universe to come and take a sledgehammer to that hope.
 
I opened the door and stopped dead. Terri was laying, curled up, in my bunk.
 
I slapped my forehead. The one place I hadn't thought to look.
 
Closing the door manually to make as little noise as possible, I looked over the woman I loved. Her shoulders shifted with her slow rhythmic breath, and a strand of hair that had fallen in front of her face fluttered in the air from her lungs. By the fact that her boots were still on, and so were the lights, I guessed that she hadn't planned to fall asleep there.
 
Sitting down at my desk, so as not to disturb her, I scrubbed my hands across my face. I had more tactical and logistical exercises to go over, more command theory to read. I didn't even consider it. All I did was sit there, looking at her and want to touch her. To get that rush of comfort that contact would bring. But shame pinned me to the seat. I was monstrously unfair to this woman. Even if I ignored this fucked up marriage situation, I still wasn't being honest with her. She still only knew about who I was prior to the beginning of this year.
 
She had followed me across the League, given up a promising career in the FWLM, gone into business with me, expressed wanting to spend the rest of her life with me, and shared my bed again and again, even though I had hurt her. And she only knew about the Gideon Zalman from Cerillos. She didn't know a thing about my Terran self. Earth self.
I grimaced. Was that me melding further? The experience of being here in the Inner Sphere for almost a quarter of a year now? How could I know? Who could I even begin to ask?
 
"Pendejo," I murmured, directing it to the ceiling and whoever put me in this situation.
 
Terri deserved the truth, I knew. She had deserved the truth back on New Olympia, but I didn't have the courage to tell her then, and with each lie of omission, it got harder and harder to tell her what I knew would sound like insanity. To admit that I had abused her trust. Her. Because the hell of it was, I did love her. I'd inherited it from myself, but it was true, as true as any feelings of love I'd felt back before this all had happened.
 
It always sucked to realize that you haven't lived up to your own ideals. Doubly so when you weren't sure you could stop.
 
"Who are you talking to?" asked a quiet voice that I would know anywhere.
 
"The Lord?" I said, unsure. "Maybe myself."
 
"I know I wasn't a good student in Sunday school, but I'm pretty sure that's not how you're supposed to talk to God," Terri replied, back still turned to me. I thought I heard a hint of amusement in her voice.
 
"Can't speak for the rest of the Sphere," I said, "maybe we Trinity folk are just special."
 
Terri shifted on the bunk. I could tell that a smile had made its way onto her lips. The silence was a warm one.
 
"I was looking for you," I said. "Can't say I expected to find you here."
 
"Always the last place you look," she said.
 
"True enough."
"Sorry about storming out of the meeting."
 
"Candy was out of line," I said. "I sure as hell don't blame you."
"Mmmm." Terri shrugged. "It's not like he was wrong. I'm not going to like any choice we make. And I know you wanted me there for the discussion on House Landynski. How'd that go?"
 
I shook my head. "It didn't. I cut things short. Everyone knows that you're the noble expert. Spent the rest of the day looking for you and fielding questions about the Magistracy."
 
"The whole day?"
 
"There were a lot of questions." I chuckled. "Actually, mostly the same small set, just repeated ad nauseum."
 
"Can't really blame them. For a nation that makes such a big deal about standing up against oppression, the Magistracy has some real oppressive laws itself."
 
"Power protects itself," I said offhandedly, "And it doesn't care about hypocrisy."
 
"Maybe," she said, looking over her shoulder at me. "But you'd think they'd make more of an effort to pretend."
 
I grunted. It wasn't a conversation to have now.
 
"Did anyone come up with any bright ideas?" asked Terri.
 
I snorted. "Ideas, sure. I don't know about bright."
 
"Share?"
 
I nodded. "Well, Ikshita offered herself up."
Terri propped herself up on her elbow. "Really? I didn't expect that. She always seemed so…"
 
"Awkward with me?" I smiled. "Yeah, so was the offer. I turned her down flat, and I think everyone is comfortable with that. I think she was just doing it out of a sense of duty for the company, and I don't want any part of that." I shook my head. "Someone did suggest getting married to another man."
 
Her eyes widened. "Really? That's actually pretty clever."
 
I shook my head again. "I thought so at first, but I don't think it would provide any protection in the Magistracy. And it wouldn't fly with the Southwesterners to have even the appearance of a maricon as Colonel."
 
"Oh." Her face fell, then concern flashed across it. "How much trouble are we going to have with that? I mean, I assume we've got at least someone gay on staff."
 
"I don't know," I said. "It's a worry of mine. People being shitty, I mean. Did they go over that in the command classes that I didn't get to take?"
 
"I didn't get that lesson, sorry. Were there any other ideas?"
 
I nodded. "Sure. Actually, kind of related, Vixen said she'd be willing."
 
Terri frowned. "How's that related?"
 
"Well, she pointed out that if she marries me, Canopians are going to see an older, more experienced woman married to the CO, and they're probably going to discount me and head towards her."
 
Terri considered that. "That's not entirely a bad thing. It could be an advantage in contract negotiations."
 
"For her too, if she wanted to make a play for the unit." I pointed out. 
 
"How much do you trust her?" asked Terri. 
 
"More than I used to," I admitted. "She's the one who pointed this out. Still, it'd make things difficult with our Canopian recruits. Because we will have some."
 
"God, that still seems weird," she muttered. "I hadn't thought of that. Even the men?"
 
"It's their cultural context," I said. "You saw something similar with race back in the 1940s with the Clark doll experiments."
 
"The what?"
 
I froze. "Old psychological study," I said, rallying. "They referenced it in a vidnovel I read." I watched Terri, hoping she would buy it. It wasn't the first time I had slipped up like this, but it was the first time I had dated a study so far from the present, and I had mostly slipped in front of Phillipa, who hadn't known me before I woke up in that hotel room.
 
Thankfully, Terri seemed to discard it. It probably helped that we were talking about something more immediately important to her. "Right. And I suppose that we'd need to worry about her being from the League too, even if she's not a noble."
 
I nodded. "Candy offered me his sister's hand," I went on. "Framed it as an apology."
 
"Sorry I pissed off the woman you want to marry but can't, you can fuck my sister in consolation?" asked Terri, incredulously.
 
I nodded with a smile. "With the slight caveats that I'd need to go across the sphere to the Combine and kill her husband to free her up."
 
"I hope you decked him." she said.
 
"He might have some loose molars," I allowed. "I think he was going for that, honestly."
 
"I do not understand that man," said Terri. "What about Socks?"
 
"Fuck these bitches, put a ring on her, Duster." I quoted. "We'll make it work."
 
"God, that's tempting," she said, to which I nodded. "But it isn't the right move."
 
I nodded again. "Cliffhanger's still arguing for me to see if Lien would marry me."
 
"Oh, I'm sure she would." growled Terri.
 
"I'm not so sure," I said. "I've got no idea how long she intended to stay in Canopus, and she only ever offered something for the length of the cruise."
 
Terri rolled her eyes. "Obviously, long enough to get Canopian medical training. That can't be a short process. And I assume you two weren't incompatible." She gave me a sharp look.
 
I coughed and flushed, looking to the side. "No, I can't say that was an issue that came up."
 
She sighed and I heard her move towards me. She turned my face to hers, eye to eye, lips centimeters apart. "And you're going to be a noble, Gid. It's why we're here in this situation. She'd be an idiot to not marry you. And I know you don't care for idiots."
"No," I admitted…said…objected…I didn't know.
 
Her lips brushed mine. "Yes," she said. "She would say yes." She stroked my beard. "Thanks for trying to give me hope that it's not a realistic option, but you don't care for idiots."
 
I squeezed my eyes in pain. "No, I don't." I opened them again. "And I sure as hell care for you.""I know." Our lips met again, and we didn't talk for a while.
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===Heart to Heart Pillow Talk===
 
"I did have one idea," said Terri as I stroked her hair back into a semblance of order, both of us wedged into the cot.
 
"I'm all ears," I said, enjoying the silken feeling of her locks between my fingers.
 
"No, you're not." she said with a wriggle against me. 
 
I groaned. "Tell me you've got more of an idea than seducing me into taking Socks's advice. Because that's a danger, right now."
 
"Nice to feel wanted." She arched herself into me. "But I did have an idea that might get us some more maneuvering room with the Landynskis."
 
My hands stopped. "Seriously?"
 
She nodded, then pushed her head back into my hands. I started massaging her scalp. "Ahhh, good. And yes. I think we need to do some research on Canopian noblewomen who have run into scandal. There's got to be some."
 
My brain caught for a moment on the implausible concept of a Canopian scandal, before reminding myself that there were always taboos and political maneuvering. "Okay…"
 
"If we can find an unmarried one who might be grateful for your help, we might be able to generate an alternative powerbase, or maybe even improve the Landynski's situation."
 
"Doesn't that just put her at advantage?" I asked. "Scandal or no, she's a noble, and can snatch me."
 
Terri shook her head. "This wouldn't work now. You'd need to be married first and transfer the legal marriage to her to keep that sort of thing from happening. You probably also need to have the unit built and loyal to you as well."
 
"So, it doesn't solve the problem now," I said, dejected. "What's the point then?"
 
"Well, it throws a wrench in the bitch's plans." said Terri with vengeful relish. "Lets them know that we're willing to play the game, but we're not just a piece."
 
"The bitch?" I asked.
 
"Kasparova," said Terri. "I think her play is to hitch you to the Contessa."
 
The bottom dropped out of my stomach and my fingers stopped. "The girl is thirteen."
 
"So, we're doing her a favor too. But it makes dynastic sense, tying the house's leadership and military strength together."
 
"Odio esta mierda," I muttered, shaking my head. "What about you, dynastically, I mean?"
 
It was Terri's turn to be confused. "What do you mean?"
 
I took a deep breath. "I know your father told you to do whatever you could to secure my loyalty." She nodded slowly, and I wound my arms around her. "But you're the heir. What does it mean for you if you can't marry me?"
 
 I could feel her tremble. "Well, he didn't say marry you specifically." she said, trying for a light tone. "So, you could argue I'm doing what I can right now."
 
I nodded. "But once he finds out I'm not available? Your hand means something, dynastically."
 
"He could call me back," she admitted. "Threaten to disown me if I didn't." The silence stretched again. "Aren't you going to ask what I would do?" she asked, very quiet.
 
I buried my nose in her hair, and shook my head, very slowly. "No." I inhaled her scent. "No. I failed to trust that you had my back before. I'm never doing that again."
 
Terri froze for long moments in my arms, then spun around and kissed me with bruising force. I tasted salt on her lips. "…while I can." she mumbled as she broke the kiss.
 
I placed a hand on her cheek. "Terri, there will always be a place for you in my life and arms. I want you there forever."
 
She collapsed, sobbing, into my chest. I wrapped myself around her, and eventually we drifted off to sleep.
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===Candidates of Marriage===
Dropship Queen Anne, Orbital Insertion Burn
Fanardir System
Magistracy of Canopus, Periphery
29th March, 3015
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The lounge felt strangely empty as my impromptu 'marriage council' gathered around the poker table.
 
"Right," I said, gesturing to the seats. "Let's get this over with."
 
"Let's," said Terri, shooting glares at Cliffhanger and Phillipa.
 
"I confess," said the lawyer as she took her seat. "I'm not sure what I'm doing here."
 
"Legal and Canopian expert," I said, pointing at her. My finger moved to Terri. "Noble expert." I pointed to Cliffhanger. "XO." I moved to Vixen. "Senior combat pilot and potential candidate." I jerked my thumb at myself. "Piece of meat."
 
"I suppose that answers my question, yes." she said, mollified.
 
"Good," I said. "As I see it, there's three reasonable choices. First, I marry Vixen here. Second, I propose to Dr. Du Lien. Third, and stretching the bounds of reasonable, I try and seduce someone here on Fanardir." I started drumming my fingers on the table. "Let's clear up some of the more outside the box thinking first though. Ms. Kasparova, I had it brought up to me by one of the enlisted techs that you might be an option. I know we've spoken generally around the subject in a negative sense, but in this case, would you consider it?" 
 
She shook her head. "No. And I don't think it would be a good idea, even if I would. There's times when Canopian law makes it a possible move to marry your lawyer, but they're few and far between. And even when it's an option, it's a risky one."
 
I nodded. "Well, that's off the table. What about me getting married to a man?" 
 
Again, Phillipa shook her head. "Doesn't count for these purposes."
 
"Didn't figure it would. What about faking a marriage with someone back home? Say on Cerillos?"
 
"It might buy some time," she allowed. "But it could be checked relatively easily. And I must warn you that my professional code of ethics does not allow me to participate in a legal deception like this."
 
"A lawyer?" asked Vixen, "Objecting to lying? Really?"
 
Phillipa's lips tightened. "Lying is against the oaths I took. A lawyer is supposed to use the facts and laws to best represent their client's interests, not to use falsehoods."
 
"Sure," said Vixen. "Whatever."
 
I chopped my hand through the air. It wasn't a surprise Phillipa wouldn't go with that idea. "Knock it off. So, infeasible. What about staying armed at all times, and letting it be known that I will shoot anyone who tries to propose?"
 
"It has a certain ring to it," said Vixen, who, as always, was wearing her cutlass and pistol both. "Or lack of one, as the case might be."
 
"Staying armed would be simple enough," said Phillipa. "Assuming you weren't called before the Magestrix or similar."
 
"Is she married?" asked Terri, scorn evident on her face.
 
"No," admitted Phillipa. "She was, up until a week ago. Apparently, her husband was found guilty of treason and executed."
 
 "Well…shit," I said. "Don't suppose she's already got a replacement lined up?"
 
"Possibly." Phillipa shrugged. "The Magestrix is well known for having an abundance of lovers. Whether one will replace her ex-husband is anyone's guess."
 
"It certainly sounds like it becomes more urgent to get you safely married, Colonel," said Cliffhanger.
 
"I also looked into precedent," said Phillipa. "You could be charged with terroristic threat for stating you would shoot anyone who tried to take you to husband, and if you did shoot someone, murder charges would almost certainly apply."
 
"Yeah, it was a pipe dream anyway. So. Let's run down the more realistic options."
 
Vixen waved her hand. "Might as well start with me. I'm here, I'm willing, and I already owe you."
 
"Can't say as I like that last part, Vixen." I said.
 
"Pssht." She tossed her hair. "You saved Crossbones, such as it is. Can't undo that. And I'm excited for this unit. I'm onboard, alright? And it's not such a terrible prospect having to marry you." She shot that last part at Phillipa.
 
I nodded. "I appreciate it. And there's a lot to say for keeping things in the unit." I stomped down on my misgivings about the power dynamics as hard as I could. "But we did think of some possible cons. Phillipa, you're up."
 
"Of course."
 
"Well, first," said Vixen, "I'm a League girl myself. How's that going to play on Canopus?"
 
The lawyer thought for a moment. "Not well, but certainly better that a League noble. There would be friction, but I don't think it would lead to real trouble."
 
"Second," Vixen said, "I'm the senior combat pilot and I was a mercenary squadron commander already. Is me getting married to Duster going to undermine his authority with new recruits?"
Phillipa nodded. "I don't know for certain, but I could absolutely see that happening. But the simple fact that he's male is already going to cause issues with that."
 
"We're trying to avoid the Canopian and Southwestern parts of the unit from heading to two different sources of authority," I explained. "I don't want MoC recruits to run to Mommy and Trinity Worlders to go to Daddy. That's no way to run a unit."
 
"That's outside of my expertise." said Phillipa.
 
"It's a major mark against marrying Captain Virgil," said Captain Kumari. "The health of the unit is paramount. There must be one unquestioned commander."
 
Vixen pointed at me. "Which is him. I'm not trying to pull a palace coup.
 
"The issue isn't that you want to or not," said the former instructor "The issue is that some of our recruits will think that you should."
 
"Speaking of palace coups," I said. "Terri, what's the noble read on this?"
 
She shook her head. "There isn't much of one. Standard wisdom would be to keep your options open, at least until you're ennobled so you can gain dynastic advantage, but we're in a strange situation here." She frowned. "You're also both light fighter pilots by preference. That's a high mortality profession. Not the best idea for continuing a house."
 
I groaned. "I've been good. I've been sticking to the medium birds most of the time. And I don't have a house to look after yet."
 
"It's still something to keep in mind," she said.
 
"Consider it kept. So, one minor con, and one potentially minor and major con if Vixen and I get hitched."
 
"Shall we dispense with trying to find a likely candidate on Fanardir next?" asked Kumari. "I struggle to see how you could find a suitable candidate that you could convince during our time on planet without setting all of your other responsibilities aside."
 
"Oh, I don't know," said Vixen. "I've heard he's quite the hotshot."
"I'm going to kill Socks." I grumbled.
Terri blushed.
 
"Really?" I turned to her. "You?"
 
"We were talking yesterday," she said, as if that explained everything. I raised an eyebrow and she looked away, cheeks still pink.
 
"Regardless," said Kumari. "Any questions of trust or security we might have with any other candidate are worse for this option. There isn't any guarantee of success with this method. You simply won't have time to get to know your bride to be."
 
 "Well, hell, Captain," I said, "It's not like I'm on a long timeframe here. It's not like I was considering this possibility until lately." I shot a glare at Phillipa, who had the grace to look embarrassed.
 
"That doesn't change the fact that going fishing for a wife on Fanardir is a stalling tactic, sir." My baleful look slid off her professional demeanor without a mark. "You may not like it, but you know it's the truth, sir. And it has its own dangers beyond whatever potential bride you might come upon."
 
"Such as?" I grunted, taking the rebuke from my teacher as well as I could in that moment.
 
"It occurs to me that if there are any agents for rival houses to the Landynski, they may wonder why you are so desperately trying to find a wife and take the risk to claim you without knowing exactly what they would be gaining."
 
Her calm expression was infuriating. Glancing over to Phillipa, I was dismayed, though not surprised to see her nod. I let out a wordless sound of frustration. "Fine. I agree. It's a risk that we shouldn't run."
 
"Which brings us to Dr. Du Lien..." said Kumari.
 
Even though I could feel Terri stiffen next to me, I nodded. "It does."
 
"Not to sound like I'm arguing too much for myself," said Vixen, "But she seems pretty risky, being a Capellan. How well do we know her?"
 
"Some of us better than others." muttered Terri.
 
"That's true," I said. "Terri, Vixen, neither of you has spent much time at all with her, right?"
 
Vixen shook her head. "I think she might have been one of the docs who looked after me when I was still laid up after Vikindu. Other than that…" she held up an open palm with a puzzled expression.
 
"I've talked with her a bit," said Terri with a grimace. "Never about anything deep, except for during the relief effort at Cirebon. She seemed pleasant enough, and she worked well in a crisis." It seemed to pain her that she couldn't say anything negative against Lien, but her honesty won out.
 
I turned to look at Cliffhanger. "Captain, you've pushed for her as an option."
 
"I have. Yes, sir." She nodded to Terri. "Much like Tomlinson, I was impressed with her work in Cirebon. While she wasn't as skilled as the Canopian medics, she was an excellent administrator. I believe that her contributions made our response to the Vikindu aftermath significantly more effective. She also did that as a volunteer from the passengers."
 
"She's motivated and takes initiative." I said.
 
"Yes, sir. She's also not from the League, which should be more palatable to our hosts."
 
I looked to Phillipa.
 
"There's no love for any of the Successor States in the Magistracy," she hedged. "But it might help."
 
I nodded. "Other points?"
 
"She has a military background," continued Kumari. "But not in a specialty that would make her a threat to you. And we could use a doctor."
 
I frowned. "That assumes that she would join the unit. That's a stretch, Cliffhanger. She's here for medical training."
 
"It's a real possibility, sir. She also has the advantage that, of your realistic options, you've known her the longest."
 
My frown deepened. "That's a stretch. Maybe by the calendar, but I've probably spent more time with Vixen at this point."
 
"Not in the same context, sir."
 
I closed my eyes and took a measured breath. "No," I admitted, "That's true." I certainly hadn't slept with Vixen. I looked over to Phillipa. "What about you, Ms. Kasparova? You've spent the most time with her of all of us."
 
"Me, Colonel?" she asked, looking honestly shocked.
 
I was in no mood for niceties. "You're on Siduri, and you're sleeping with her father. You must have been exposed to her enough to have an opinion." I gestured to the table. "You're all here to give me advice, Phillipa."
 
She took a moment to think about it. "I think she's a bright young woman with a well-developed sense of responsibility for those who need care." She paused, then continued. "I would say that she is idealistic, perhaps to a fault. It's odd. She's skilled at doubletalk, but I get the impression that she is very sincere about her values. She is obviously skilled to be chosen for getting medical training in the Magistracy, of course." She raised an eyebrow. "Is that the sort of advice you are looking for, Colonel?"
 
I nodded. "It'll do. So, elephant in the room. She's Capellan."
 
"And everyone knows not to trust a Capellan," said Vixen. "It'd really suck to have you get married to a Mask agent."
 
Kumari sighed. "Again, that's unlikely. As a cultural ambassador, it would endanger the Capellans' diplomatic agenda if she was exposed as a spy. And even the best cover can fail."
 
"Have they done it before?" I asked, curious. "Do we know?"
 
"Yes, back during the Star League. It cost them quite a bit, diplomatically," said Terri. She gave a sad smile at my questioning look. "I did some reading. Apparently, the Liao haven't pushed it since. They tend to do deep cover or stuff with merchants, like everyone else. And securing good relations with the Magistracy could be very valuable to them."
 
I gave that a thought. I knew that one history had the Magistracy joining with Andurien to attack the Capellans post Fourth Succession War, only to be dealt an embarrassing defeat. Even later than that, the Capellans had joined with the Magistracy and the Taurians in an alliance that had reinvigorated the Confederation into a true terror. "It would be," I said slowly. Had Lien been an agent that damaged the relations between the Magistracy and the Capellans, leading to them backing Andurien, or was that just opportunism that let them hurt both the League and the Confederation? 
 
I shook my head sharply. I didn't have the data for more than a wild ass guess. "None of us are spy hunters. Do we have anything beyond she could be a spy? Because sufficiently motivated intelligence agencies could mean that everyone is a spy." 
 
"Yes," said Terri. "She's Capellan." At my frown, she placed a hand on my forearm. "Even if they're not the Lyrans, a lot of Leaguers aren't going to trust her, and it could hurt our employment options in the League. It could also hurt you with our Trinity recruits."
 
I nodded, biting my lip. "We don't really care about Capellans back on Cerillos, but really, any gringa is going to be a risk for that." I gave Terri and Vixen an apologetic look. "Just they way it is with the Trinity. Are you arguing for me putting it off and seeing if I can't find a nice Jewish girl from the kibbutz as soon as we get to Canopus?"
 
Phillipa got a pained look. "You could take that option, but I wouldn't suggest it. That could be very dangerous."
 
"Why?" asked Vixen. The redhead leaned forward. "I know that there's some internal issues with House Landynski, but I don't know the specifics. We never got to that briefing."
 
"A number of members of the house are unhappy with the way that inheritance and succession have played out, and might take action to secure Colonel Zalman's inheritance, either for its own sake, or for leverage to take over leadership of the house," said Phillipa.
 
Vixen rolled her eyes. "I know that much. Details, lady! I'm offering to marry Duster, this is stuff I should know."
 
I nodded to Phillipa. "She's right. Sorry Vixen, we really should have had this talk earlier."
 
She gave me a smile. "You've had a lot on your mind. So?"
 
Phillipa tapped on her noteputer, and slid it to the middle of the table. A family tree glowed on the screen. "The most important group to look at are the five highlighted. They have the most direct relationship to power and the ability to press claims in House Landynski. Each of them are essentially in the same generation to Zara, Contessa Sahar's mother and the previous heir apparent, though none of them share a father with her. The eldest is Rezan Landynski. Her father was a businessman that Contessa Najwa took up with after Zara's father died in a Dragonfly crash. Rezan has taken up much of the responsibility for coordinating House Landynski's industrial efforts. Her younger sister, Birwa, has done much the same for the luxury trade and tourism ventures. Their brother, Rebin Barzani, has taken over the core Dragonfly repair and refurbishment business that built House Landynski in the old days. He's the middle child of that marriage."
 
"Barzani?" asked Vixen.
 
"Many noble houses follow the example of the Centrellas by restricting surnames to the parent of the same gender," explained Philippa shortly. "The other two to note are Esther Landynski and Joeseph Adelman."
"My half-siblings." I said.
 
"Yes. They are twins, and currently seventeen, though they will have turned eighteen by the time we get to Canopus. Both of them are technically involved with Adelman Prospecting, along with some of the internal entertainment ventures, but they don't appear to be particularly ambitious at this point."
 
"If they're not ambitious, why are we worried about them?" asked Vixen.
 
"They have the best claim on Gid's inheritance," explained Terri. "And they could be playing dumb. Plenty of younger nobles do."
 
"And some are." pointed out Kumari.
 
"Stupidity is second only to hydrogen in abundance," I said. "And I wouldn't be surprised to see it edge into the top slot."
 
Phillipa tapped on the three children of Ferhad Barzani. "Rezan and Birwa have made the argument that as Sahar is so young and they are running the majority of House Landynski's interests, one of them should be the regent for her." Her eyebrows narrowed. "They've also argued that since Zara was never the Contessa, the title should pass to Rezan, instead of Sahar."
 
"Should it?" asked Cliffhanger.
 
"Contessa Najwa expressly stated that Sahar should become the next Contessa," said Phillipa. "It was a non-starter, though Rezan's age and prominence in the house let it get much further than it should. Their move towards advocating that they should serve as regent has been more successful. While they haven't been able to take the formal position, many outside of the house treat them as if they have."
 
"Well, that's shitty." said Vixen, mirroring my opinion perfectly.
 
Terri got a nasty grin on her face. "It's better than it might look. Since both of them are in positions of power in House Landynski, and a regent doesn't have to be the next logical heir, they're probably dueling each other for the slot."
 
Phillipa nodded. "That is indeed the case. While the two worked together to push Rezan's claim, they have turned on each other of late. Politely, of course, but there is conflict. Their brother has his own ambitions, and is most focused on getting his hands on the materiel found by Mr. Adelman. Rebin seems convinced that if he can secure that, he will have carved out his own seat of power, and be able to play kingmaker between his sisters."
 
"Does he have any military background." asked Kumari.
 
 "He's apparently qualified to fly a Dragonfly," I said. "But no. He's a manager who moonlights as a test pilot, so far as I could tell."
 
"That doesn't mean he's wrong about what getting the inheritance could buy him," said Terri. "Materiel doesn't have to be used by you to get power. You can sell it, build your own unit under someone loyal, give it to someone more powerful for favors…the list goes on."
 
"And all three of them are likely to be reaching out to Esther, Joeseph, and all the non-family members that fall under the Landynski umbrella, trying to gain support for their power plays," said Vixen, grimacing. "You're lucky you're cute, Duster."
 
"Is that the only reason you volunteered?" I joked.
 
"As far as I can tell, you're a pretty good stick, too," she said with a smile.
 
"Apparently we haven't been doing enough ACM." I said dryly. 
 
"Not what she meant, Gid," murmured Terri.
 
I spun to look at her, but her expression was inscrutable. Giving it up, I turned back to Vixen. "Well, don't forget that those three will probably be playing to other houses as well."
 
"I drive a Cheetah," she said with a laugh. "Never tell me the odds." Her expression sobered. "Seriously Duster, I knew this wasn't going to be simple when I volunteered. I'm on board. But I do wonder how we're even supposed to make an attempt at keeping this nest of vipers sweet."
I nodded. "I think it might be a case where we can't, but there's something to be said for stepping lightly around rattlers, rather than just stomping through. At least until we've got some real fine stomping boots."
 
"Something to look forward to," she said.
I nodded. "So, summary. Vixen, marrying you might cause some trouble with Magistracy recruits. Marrying Lien might cause us some trouble back in the League."
 
"Unless Anton wins," said Kumari with a grimace.
 
"Unless that, yes. She brings some things to the table that we don't have, but we don't know if she would join the unit, or actually say yes. On the other hand, Vixen, you're one hundred percent onboard."
 
"Yep."
 
"Right," I said pinching my nose. "Keep your comms on, everyone. I've got to do some thinking." I had never been raised to think of my marriage in these terms, not in either life. "Dismissed."
 
With a variety of expressions, concern, compassion, confidence, and worry, the women filed out of the lounge, leaving my alone at the table with the lingering tingle of the squeeze of Terri's hand around mine pulsing like a beacon in my thoughts. I needed an answer now.
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