BattleTech Legends: Warrior: Riposte: The Warrior Trilogy, Book Two 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 26

COMSTAR FIRST CIRCUIT COMPOUND

HILTON HEAD ISLAND

NORTH AMERICA, TERRA

17 AUGUST 3028

The jostling of well-dressed guests finally forced Dan away from Justin. For half a second, Dan fought against the tide of people shifting around and pressing back from the doorway, but there was nothing more he could say to the man his brother had become. How they must have hurt you, Justin.

Like an automaton, Dan turned and let himself be moved toward the far end of the hall. Standing on a raised platform against a white silk banner emblazoned with ComStar’s logo, a red-robed precentor held up his hands in an effort to get the attention of all who were gathered here.

Dan narrowed his eyes. Looks like Ulthar Everston, Precentor of Tharkad. Makes sense. He’s part of the First Circuit and this is a momentous occasion. When Dan turned to the man standing next to him to confirm his guess, he was startled to discover Morgan Kell at his side. “Colonel!”

Morgan nodded. “I saw you speaking with Candace Liao’s escort. He is your brother Justin?”

Dan looked down and shrugged. “It depends who you ask, I suppose.” Catching the puzzled look on Morgan’s face, Dan opened hands and raised them shoulder-high. “Sorry, Morgan. You don’t deserve that. In body, that was my brother. In mind, however…”

Morgan reached up with one hand to squeeze the thick muscles at the back of Dan’s neck. “Are you all right?”

Dan nodded. “I’ll live… The hurt tells me that much.”

“People change, Dan.”

Dan smiled weakly, wondering how many more people would tell him that about Justin.

Precentor Tharkad was lowering his hands in a gesture that cut off virtually all conversation in the room. “It is my very great honor to welcome all of you to our compound,” he said. The man smiled so guilelessly that Dan sensed that the speaker’s words echoed his true feelings. “We are all present to witness and bless a most hallowed event in our lives, the lives of the Archon-Designate and Prince, and, indeed, the lives of all who inhabit the Successor States.” Looking around the room, the precentor seemed to sense how quickly he had established a rapport with his audience. “It is the hope of every member of the First Circuit, and all members of ComStar, that the Peace of Blake be upon you during your stay with us. If there is anything we can do to make your visit more pleasurable—within the bounds of reason, decency, and nonviolence, of course—please ask it of any yellow-robed acolyte you see.”

Clasping his hands against his chest, Precentor Tharkad closed his eyes and smiled. His lips moved as though mumbling a prayer, then he bowed his head. “It is my very great pleasure and honor to introduce your host, ComStar Primus Julian Tiepolo.”

Polite applause rippled as Precentor Tharkad stepped back to allow the Primus to take the platform. Dan narrowed his eyes as the hawk-nosed ascetic walked slowly to center stage. He looks barely alive, Dan thought. I wonder how true are the rumors that he is really a revivified Jerome Blake.

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