BattleTech Legends: Warrior: En Garde: The Warrior Trilogy, Book One by Michael A. Stackpole

Author:Michael A. Stackpole [Stackpole, Michael A.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Catalyst Game Labs
Published: 2018-12-22T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

THARKAD

DISTRICT OF DONEGAL

LYRAN COMMONWEALTH

11 APRIL 3027

“Good afternoon, Misha…Andrew.” Ardan strode into the living room of Redburn’s suite, stopping to warm his hands before the fire blazing like a nova in the fireplace. “I trust your skiing went well?”

Redburn nodded and set his brandy snifter down on the low table before him. “Yes, sir.”

Ardan smiled at Misha. “I trust, Misha, that you worked the leftenant hard and that he did nothing to dishonor the Federated Suns?”

Gracefully uncoiling herself from the sofa, Misha shook her head. “He learns quickly, Colonel, and did very well.” She reached down and squeezed Redburn’s hand. “If you leave him here on Tharkad, I’m sure he’d pick up enough within two weeks to teach those Federated Suns mountain troops whatever they need to know.”

Ardan nodded slowly. “Indeed.” He looked at Redburn. “I’m afraid that duty now calls, Leftenant.” Misha made to get up, but Ardan waved her back. “No, Misha. Please stay. I’ll only steal him for a little while. He’ll return within the hour.”

Redburn seconded Ardan’s invitation with a hopeful smile, and Misha nodded. He stood up slowly and stiffly, then looked at Ardan. “Should I change first?” Wearing a thick pullover, blue corduroy knickers, and thick wool stockings, he looked far too casual beside Ardan’s neatly pressed blue uniform.

“No, Andrew, that will not be necessary.” Ardan turned and walked from the room. Redburn caught up with him in the corridor, but neither man spoke. Their silence continued unbroken until they’d entered a small, nearly featureless room and Simon Johnson closed the door behind them.

Johnson stood while the two Federated Suns officers sat in the gray iron chairs. He narrowed his black eyes and addressed himself to Ardan. “How much does he know?”

Redburn felt a sinister thrill as Ardan answered. “He has not been briefed.”

“Very well.” Johnson dragged a chair around before him, but seated himself on it with his chest against its back. “I will keep this simple, Leftenant. I could have let you read a file, but you would probably find all the details boring. As you are aware, Leftenant, the more you know, the more you might reveal.”

The chancellor of the Lyran Intelligence Corps exhaled, then watched Redburn for a moment before beginning to speak. “Five years ago, in 3022, Hanse Davion and Archon Katrina Steiner signed an agreement on Terra. Your visit is but one of the exchanges made possible by that treaty. For example, I believe that two Lyran Commonwealth students entered the Warriors Hall in your final year there.”

Redburn nodded. “I knew of them, but they served in other cadet companies.”

Johnson nodded curtly. “No matter, except that you are aware of the treaty and some of its effects. What you do not know is that the treaty has some secret provisions. What I will reveal to you now is known only to a handful of people, for reasons that will become painfully obvious.” Johnson winced. “I believe that even that is too many, but there is nothing I can do about it.

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