BattleTech: Dying Dignity: (Eridani Light Horse Chronicles, Part Three) by Chris Hussey

Author:Chris Hussey
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Catalyst Game Labs
Published: 2021-06-03T05:00:00+00:00

ERIDANI LIGHT HORSE COMMAND

CIRCINUS

CIRCINUS FEDERATION

28 JULY 2853

Majed’s face was a mix of emotions as he stood across from Colonel Ezra Bradley. Despite the Eridani Light Horse commander’s weak and withered form, the Colonel sat upright in his wheelchair. Though unable to lead in the field from a ’Mech, the aged commander still kept his military cut, a small square of close-cropped white hair standing in contrast to the vast array of cinnamon-colored liver spots that blanketed his skin. Majed wanted to feel pity for his commanding officer, but it was difficult when he knew the man’s record and the weight he carried keeping the Light Horse together through the collapse of the Star League and the chaos of the Succession Wars. The respect Majed felt for Colonel Bradley nearly overwhelmed him.

Majed finished presenting his report. Since the actions on Starshine, the colonel pro-tem had come to regret his decision. Yes, he’d eliminated Cirion and her troublesome unit, but he couldn’t reconcile the cost to his own standards and those of the Light Horse. The closer he drew to Circinus and Colonel Bradley, the more he knew he deserved punishment for what he’d done. His report reflected that internal struggle. It contained all the instances of Cirion’s treachery and duplicity, culminating in the actions Majed and his forces had taken on Starshine.

He sighed heavily. “I understand the severity of my actions, Colonel. I am ready and willing to accept whatever punishment you feel is necessary. I do humbly request that you direct it all toward me, sir. Spare the rest. They followed my orders.”

Bradley’s bony fingers swiped across the noteputer, while he focused his attention on the report, almost ignoring Majed. After almost a minute of silence, Bradley spoke. “There will be no punishment, Colonel Majed. I’ll need you to alter your report a bit, but I’ll handle this.”

Majed’s eyes widened, and his jaw dropped. “Excuse me, sir?”

Bradley finally looked up at him. “You heard me, Idris. There is no punishment to mete out. You did what you had to do, and quite frankly, I agree with all of it.”

Majed struggled with his words. “Sir…but, why?”

Now Bradley sighed. “Colonel, you, more than most, seem to fully understand what the ELH is about and what we represent. What we’re trying to be as the galaxy appears to almost be crumbling around us.”

Majed nodded. “Of course, that’s why I feel—”

Bradley held up a hand. “Stop. But you must also realize that such a thing can’t exist right now. The Inner Sphere is not black and white. We can create an appearance, but the reality is almost always very different.”

Majed looked down at the noteputer, then back to his commander. “What exactly do you mean?”

Bradley gestured for Majed to sit in the chair across from him. “It isn’t that complicated. For example, to most, the Circinus Federation looks like nothing more than a group of pacifist farmers just trying to survive the horrors around them. The reality is the Black Warriors are their ‘secret’ military that supports the Federation through raids.

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