BattleTech: Elements of Treason: Honor by Craig A. Reed Jr

Author:Craig A. Reed Jr.
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Catalyst Game Labs
Published: 2023-05-31T05:00:00+00:00

The Loremaster found him thirty minutes later, in the Bucephalus’ training area. He was punching a heavy bag with intensity while Bran held it steady, and Laila stood off to one side, observing.

“Have you calmed down yet, Peter?” Sachiko asked.

“Not yet,” Bran muttered. “I’m not sure how much more abuse this bag—or I—can take.”

Peter stopped and looked at the Loremaster. “He is still going to Terra?”

“Aff. The saKhan and Galaxy Commander DeLaurel are not convinced, and continued your argument after you left. But Gottfried stood his ground—for once—and Fulk finally conceded, though I suspect he would rather couple with Malvina than go through with this.”

“Neither Alaric nor Malvina will allow such a challenge.” Peter turned back to the bag and hit it several times. “Put yourself in their place. You have already fought your Trial of Possession against the Republic’s forces, and you won. You are ilClan, the Clan above all Clans, the first Clan to conquer Terra. Then a Clan who did not fight the Republic shows up and demands you submit to their call for another Trial of Possession, to steal the ilClanship, a title the challenger did not earn according to the requirements laid out by the Founder. We would be lucky to not be executed right then and there!”

“I agree.”

Peter spun toward her. “Then why did you stop me?”

“Because you would never convince him otherwise. Gottfried sees a chance that does not exist, and he is blind to any opinion but his own.” She smiled. “And if Lucinda Dwelley forgot to turn the recorder off…”

Peter exhaled slowly. “You used me.”

“Wouldn’t be the first time,” Laila said under her breath.

“Of course I did,” Sachiko said. “I knew you would say something, and you stated the case more clearly than most could have.”

“Gottfried thinks the risk is worth it.”

“At the very least, we will find out what is happening on Terra. I think that is the only reason Fulk finally agreed to this folly.”

“So, what do we do now?”

“Gottfried has sent word to assemble Alpha and Fire Horse Galaxies here. Once both Galaxies are in-system, we will take all three WarShips and head for Terra. In the meantime, we will seize the next three planets on the list and see what further intel we can glean from their databases and garrison.”

“The Khan is making a mistake.”

“Aff, I believe so. And officially, you are confined to quarters until we reach Terra.”

Peter raised an eyebrow. “I am?”

Sachiko nodded. “But unofficially, you, the Galaxy Commander, and I will do what we can to ensure we survive the trip to and from Terra. That includes planning for a Trial of Possession, just in case.”

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