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

Author:Craig A. Reed, Jr. [Reed, Jr., Craig A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Catalyst Game Labs

CHAPTER 19

CENTRAL SECTOR

MALCHEEMA

ARCTURUS

TAMAR PACT

13 AUGUST 3151

“Ma’am, Legislator McKlav—”

The door to Sarah’s office flew open as McKlaven kicked it hard enough to bounce it off the wall. He stormed in, his expression dark as a thundercloud as Cyn followed him. “What in the hell are you doing?” he snarled.

Sarah sat behind her desk, unconcerned. “The door was unlocked,” she said mildly.

“What are you trying to pull?”

“Sir,” Cyn said, spotting the other people in the office. “I think—”

“Quaid Kincannon McKlaven,” a voice growled from Sarah’s left. “For once in your life, shut up and listen!”

McKlaven swung his head to see Graf Simon Basquez glaring at him from a chair next to the conference table. Behind him stood Duke Sebastian and Graf Torin. “What the hell are you doing here, Simon?”

“The Governor-General thought you would storm in and demand answers, so she asked me to sit in, since I’m about the only person on this planet who isn’t scared shitless of you.” He looked at Cyn. “Cynthia,” he said in a gentler tone, “you’re looking well.”

“Grandpa,” she replied in a contrite tone. “Sorry I haven’t been able to visit you and Grandma recently.”

“Don’t worry about it. We know you’ve been busy.”

“Can we have the family reunion later?” McKlaven demanded. His attention returned to Sarah. “Who in the hell do you think you are, walking into the People’s Chamber and suddenly declaring yourself dictator? Who gave you that power?”

“I did,” Sebastian said.

McKlaven glared at him. “What?”

“I asked her to assume control of Arcturus.”

“So did I,” Basquez said. “And so did several others. Face it, Quaid, the legislature has become a pit of stupidity, corruption, and procrastination. We need a leader who can see beyond that.”

“Are you people out of your minds?”

“No, we’re being sane,” Torin said. “You’ve been fighting a losing battle in the legislature. It’s time to try something else.”

“What about the Commonwealth?”

“Everything I said was true,” Sarah said. “I had intended to bring Arcturus back into the Commonwealth, but if I tried it now, it would just make things worse. We needed to be daring.”

“But your oath!”

“You think I wanted this?” Sarah said. “This was the only choice that gave Arcturus a chance to survive.”

McKlaven glared at Sarah. “What about the Commonwealth?”

“Get off your high horse, Quaid!” Basquez snapped. “The Commonwealth left us twisting in the wind for too damn long!”

“I would have thought you’d be opposed to this madness!”

“You think this is easy for any of us? General Regis made a hard choice. Going back to the Commonwealth is out, but even if we go back, what about the other planets the Falcons abandoned? We depend on Blue Diamond for chemicals. Do we let another Billy Talltree take control of the planet in the future?”

“Quaid,” Sebastian said. “I know you think I’m an idiot.” McKlaven snorted, but the duke continued. “But even I understand that Arcturus cannot continue down its current path, not with our current leadership. We asked General Regis to step in and become the leader we need. The Tamar Pact idea is all hers, but it’s a good one, and it shows we made the right choice.

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